5 Techniques to Quickly Calm Stress 

When You’ve Reached Your Breaking Point

If you’re human, you’ve most likely reached your breaking point more than once. Too much stress can leave you anxious, overwhelmed, and ready to toss in the towel at any moment. The bad thing is that stress often sneaks up on us, so we don’t realize it until we’ve already reached our breaking point. When this happens, it’s essential to know the steps to quickly calm yourself down and regain control to think more clearly.

Here are five techniques to quickly calm stress the next time stress has you teetering on edge.

1. Breathing is apparent and may be the most straightforward step since it comes naturally. However, you can begin to feel better by practicing simple breathing exercises. The more oxygen you get into your body, the calmer you begin to feel. You know the old saying, “Count to 10 when you’re angry?” There is some merit in that. As you focus on your breathing, the tension starts to leave your body, and it helps pull you back from the edge and avoid your breaking point. You can also practice this method without strain to help alleviate your mind and practice being present.
2.  Take a walk/run:  Get out of your head and let your feet do the work. Exercising in any form can help relieve stress in significant ways. It not only gets you away from the stressful situation at hand for a moment, but it allows you time to think. One quick tip: leave your phone at home. You’ll be able to focus entirely on your surroundings, get some fresh air and soak up some sunshine. With no distractions, it will be easier to clear your head and come back home with a new perspective on what you are going through.
3.  Let it all out: There is something to be said about crying it out and letting yourself feel the emotions you’re going through. Holding back the tears and trying to be strong will only prolong your stress and hurt. You’ll most likely be surprised at how much better you feel once you let it all out. Crying is a self-soothing way you can relieve pain, enhance your mood and reduce your stress levels quickly. Allowing yourself that time to weep freely can shift your thinking and make your situation not seem so bad after all. 
4.  Talk it out: One of the best ways to pull yourself back from the edge of a breaking point is to talk about your feelings. Grab someone you trust – a close friend or family member and spill your guts. Sometimes it can make you feel 100% better simply by letting someone else in on what you’re going through. It’s most helpful when they have a different perspective or guidance on working through your situation. You’ll leave the conversation with more clarity and less stress. 
5.  Briefly Check Out: When stressed, you need time to retreat and focus on something other than the situation. Try listening to a guided meditation, calming music, or even nature sounds. Close your eyes and let yourself be momentarily distracted. Listening to the soothing sounds of music or someone else’s voice can help you relax and destress from the moment. You’ll find that the stress and tension are pretty good once you come back up for air. 

You don’t have to allow stress to govern your life. However, when you’ve reached your breaking point, try some simple tips to help you calm down quickly and pull yourself back from the edge.