Top 5 Ways to Relieve Stress on National Stress Awareness Day

Stress is ever present in our lives and if we don't deal with it, guess what happens?  Mental and/or physical illness can set in.  Today is National Stress Awareness Day and it's the perfect time to focus on finding ways to relieve stress. 

There are plenty of stress relievers.  The trick is to find out which ones work best for you.  I'm going to share with you my favorite ways to relief stress.  Feel free to borrow from the list.

1. Exercise.  I find that outdoor exercise works best for me and my favorite thing to do is walk.  I think it's a combination of fresh air and interesting scenery that is working for me.
2. Meditation.  Sitting quietly and focusing on your breath for even 5 minutes a day can do wonders.  I like guided meditation best since it helps to keep you present in the moment without your mind wandering.
3. Watching Comedy shows on TV.  My favorite comedy right now is "Modern Family" and it makes me laugh.  We all know that laughter is the best medicine.
4. Sex.  That's a no brainer.
5. Connecting with friends and family.  When you share concerns and burdens with others, it lightens your stress load.