When you think of devastating illnesses and conditions, your mind typically generates images of terminal diseases like cancer, long before you consider the deadly effects of stress. 

The main reason for that is that when we think of something out of our control, we do not have to feel responsible for the outcome. It is a perfectly natural protective method to keep us living in our bubbles of poor life choices.

The uncomfortable truth is that stress is largely considered to be one of the main catalysts for the overproduction of cancer cells, so no matter how you spin it, you need to take control of the stress in your life – before it is too late.

Below are five simple, yet effective, techniques for relieving stress and living a happier life:

1.Switch Off

To live a completely stress-free life is highly unlikely unless you plan on quitting your job and leaving your kids behind. The modern world is filled with stressful situations, you just need to learn to minimize those and embrace a simpler life.

An easy way to do that is to switch off. 

That does not mean pretending to be numb, it means no screen time of any kind after 7 pm. No TV, no social media, and no YouTube videos. Instead, take a hot bubble bath or read a book to unwind and relax.

2.Exercise

Exercise and physical activity cause the brain to produce endorphins, which are nature’s painkillers. 

Not only does it help to maintain a healthy weight, moderate good quality sleep, and improve your mood – it also reduces stress.

Just thirty to forty minutes of moderate exercise daily will improve your mood, lower blood pressure and reduce stress.

3.Meditate

While meditation is not a medical treatment, it does help to give people a sense of calm and balance that can benefit their overall health and mental well-being. 

Meditation is an effective technique for centering your mind, relaxing, and coping with stress by focusing on your internal peace.

Stress leads to all sorts of physical and emotional symptoms in its manifestation; to learn more about them, you can click here.

4.Mind Your Attitude

Our minds are perplexing things. The most incredible part is no scientist claims to understand how they work. The pathways of a mind are personal to the body it belongs to.

In other words, what works for one person is not guaranteed to work for another – unless they are similar, like-minded people. 

What does make a difference to everyone, regardless of their culture or intelligence level, is that your attitude toward a situation will affect how you feel about it.

Remember that the next time you want to complain about something – try to find at least one upside of any bad situation and notice the difference that makes.

5.Laugh More

Laughing relieves your stress response. It does this by stimulating organs through the intake of oxygen and an increase in endorphins. 

Laughter not only reduces stress but it is also known to lessen depression and anxiety.

That by no means equals a cure for any of those conditions, but it does prove that laughter is one of the best medicines for stress – and it is free!