(”Relaxation Assembly Line”; courtesy of phoenixawaken)
Stress affects your mood, your memory and your ability to concentrate, as well as your health and your overall feelings of well-being. Fortunately, there are several quick and effective techniques you can use to lower your stress levels and regain a sense of balance and tranquility. Below you will find five (5) YouTube videos that demonstrate some of the best techniques you can apply right now to reduce stress, so just press “play” and follow along with the videos.
1. Qigong Routine. Qigong means “working with the qi” or with the “life energy”. It’s the ancient Chinese art and science of learning how to control the flow of qi through a precise set of movements and respiratory techniques. The YouTube video below presents an easy to follow, sitting Qigong routine, that lasts for about four minutes and which will help you to relax.
2. Binaural Beats: Induce Alpha Brainwaves. Put on a set of headphones, press the “play” button on the video below, sit back, and close your eyes. You will hear a tone oscillating at 100 hertz on one ear, as well as a one oscillating at 105 cycles per second on the other ear. There will also be a third phantom signal called a binaural beat frequency which occurs in the brain; it pulsates at the difference between the tones it’s hearing in each ear.
Your brain cells will begin to move in resonance with the binaural beat, and your right and left brain hemispheres will begin to synchronize. This will lower your brain waves to the alpha state, the brain frequency associated with deep relaxation and meditation. The video lasts for about five minutes.
3. Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). EFT is the emotional version of acupuncture, except needles aren’t used. Instead, you stimulate energy meridian points on your body by tapping on them with your fingertips. It’s very easy to learn and very effective in helping you to release any negative emotions you may be feeling and altering your mood. Just follow along with the video below:
4. Whole Body Guided Relaxation. The guided meditation below will help you focus on each body part, slowly relaxing your entire body.
5. Laughter Yoga. Every day new studies are being published on the myriad physiological and psychological benefits of laughter, and Laughter Yoga can help anyone partake of these benefits. Laughter Yoga consists of exercises designed to get people to laugh for no reason, combined with simple yoga breathing techniques. It uses a blend of playful and tension-releasing laughter exercises to improve health, reduce stress, and increase feelings of well-being.
Studies have shown that the body can’t differentiate between simulated and spontaneous laughter, and that simulated laughter produces the same positive changes in the body as laughing at a great joke. For more information on laughter yoga, visit my squidoo lens, “Laughter Meets Yoga”. Follow along with Sebastian Gendry, Director of the American School of Laughter Yoga, in the video below:
Elsewhere in the Blogosphere:
- Download Tim Brownson’s book: “Stress is for Suckers” (free, for a limited time).
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M 10.10.08 at 6:42 am
Very cool! I like a hard workout to relieve stress! Thanks!
Ms last blog post..Worrying - Control it
Writer Dad 10.10.08 at 8:01 am
I’ve never even heard of laughter yoga, but the idea tickles me. That, I’ll have to try.
Mare 10.10.08 at 9:00 am
Hi Mark: These techniques are amazing, the help me a lot.
Hi Writer Dad: Laughter Yoga was created by a doctor in India and there are now Laughter Yoga clubs all over the world.
Stacey Shipman 10.10.08 at 9:29 am
Laughter yoga is becoming quite popular and while I’ve experienced it on a very small scale, I prefer to laugh without forcing it. I realize people enjoy the laughter yoga which is why it’s becoming so popular!
EFT is also becoming quite popular in my area.
As someone who talks a lot about stress, there are so many ways to combat it. The issue is actually practicing the techniques so that you can recognize stress and then react with an appropriate tool.
The ones you provide will definitely help!
Stacey Shipmans last blog post..Success Comes from The Heart
Natural 10.10.08 at 10:49 am
Hey Marelisa. This post could not have come at a better time. I don’t know what I have to be so stressed about, but something is definitely not right. I’m trying to No. 5 my way back into my old self.
Thanks.
Naturals last blog post..Down In the Dumps: Write this Way
Natural 10.10.08 at 11:00 am
i watched the video. i have to admit watching them made me laugh. thanks also for the ebook, just downloaded it. maybe i should watch a comedy now, then i’ll go for a walk. the weather is nice.
Naturals last blog post..Down In the Dumps: Write this Way
Jess Sanders 10.10.08 at 11:08 am
I found your post via your comment on MomGrind and thought I’d say hello! I love the thought of finding stress-reducing methods via YouTube, we need a few more free resources nowadays!
I also thumbs-upped on StumbleUpon
Jess Sanderss last blog post..What is RIGHT in your life?
Vered - MomGrind 10.10.08 at 1:05 pm
Interesting stuff. I’ve never heard about any of these techniques! I normally rely on exercise, lunch with a friend or a full body massage to relax.
Vered - MomGrinds last blog post..Am I The Only One Who Thinks This Is Weird?
Maya 10.10.08 at 1:43 pm
My mom has being a part of her neighborhood “Laughing Club” for almost 10 years (in India). All I can say is that it does wonders! Exhausted and Happy is how they feel, she says.
Mayas last blog post..The key to happiness and balance is right with you, just learn to use it - Part 2 of the thinkmaya framework
Mare 10.10.08 at 2:34 pm
Hi Stacey: Sometimes I’m stressed and I’ll feel rotten for a couple of hours. Then I do one of the many stress techniques that are available and afteward I feel so much better and I just think to myself: “why didn’t I just do this sooner?” Now I think my next blog post is going to be one of my poster-format posts and it’s going to be about ways to combat stress.
Hi Natural: While I was putting together my squidoo lens about laughter yoga I just could not stop laughing as I went through all the videos of people rolling around on the floor laughing uncontrollably. Tim’s book is good, I hope it helps
Hi Jess: Thank you for stopping by. YouTube contains a wealth of information
Hi Vered: Oh, a massage, I need one of those
Hi Maya: I’ve heard they’re really popular in India. Too bad there aren’t any in Panama. Maybe I’ll become certified and start one
Karl - Work Happy Now 10.10.08 at 2:52 pm
I love YouTube! There is so much good stuff on there. I recently learned about EFT and I went to YouTube and there are all kinds of videos about it.
I’m going to try the whole body relaxation tonight. I expect it to be wonderful.
Karl - Work Happy Nows last blog post..Your 3 Careers - Are You Ready?
Misty Gibbs 10.10.08 at 3:41 pm
Great post! Definitely needed right now
You should join the Inspiration Lounge group on Facebook and share this link with the group!
Cheers! Misty
My Inspiration Lounge
Tom Volkar / Delightful Work 10.10.08 at 4:32 pm
Hi Mare, I’ve done the laughter Yoga before a money adventure retreat as an exercise to relax. It was well appreciated by all and amazing to watch the catching influence like when one yawn leads to another.
You know I’m a big EFT fan. have you done Brad Yates’ tap of the morning? Superb!
I’ll give these others a shot the next time I’m feeling stressed. Things are pretty groovy at present.
Tom Volkar / Delightful Works last blog post..Authoring Your Own Life
Oktober Five 10.10.08 at 4:33 pm
Studies have shown that the body can’t differentiate between simulated and spontaneous laughter”
Really? Because I can tell, and everyone around me can tell, and that bodes well for my level of stress. Whatever benefit I may gain from fake laughing is most likely thwarted by the eye rolls I get.
Mare 10.10.08 at 4:58 pm
Hi Oktober Five: Yes, when someone is “fake” laughing people can tell. However, the body releases endorphins and other feel-good hormones when you laugh, and laughter also decreases stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. Your body will go through that process whether the laughter is simulated or spontaneous.
Laughter Yoga is usually done at Laughter Yoga Clubs (much like the meeting that is shown in the YouTube video included in this post), or you can do it alone.
You probably shouldn’t start “fake” laughing in the middle of a cocktail party because you’re right, you’ll probably get a lot of eye rolls
Mare 10.10.08 at 5:04 pm
Hi Karl: I hope you enjoy the whole body relaxation video
Hi Misty: I know, there’s a lot of stress going around these days.
Hi Tom: Laughter is definitely contagious. That’s one of the best things about Laughter Yoga Clubs: it might start off as simulated laughter but a few minutes into it people are cracking up for real. I have done tap of the morning. I also have a money-issues EFT program created by Yates and Joe Vitale, it’s very good.
Cath Lawson 10.10.08 at 5:48 pm
Hi Mare - thank you - I will feeling v stressed when I opened your post, so this came at just the right time for me. I’m especially looking forward to checking out laughter yoga.
Davina 10.11.08 at 12:32 am
Hi Mare. I’ve tried the EFT as a skeptic and was completely surprised at how relaxing it was! A friend and I have been planning on getting to a laughter yoga class too. I always feel like a million bucks after a good belly laugh. Speaking of belly laughs, I think I’ll pop over to Friar’s blog soon
Davinas last blog post..Thanks, It Means The World To Me
Mare 10.11.08 at 1:58 am
Hi Cath: I hope you enjoy the laughter yoga video, I’ve watched it several times and each time it makes me laugh
Hi Davina: EFT is great! If you go to the laughter yoga class let me know how it goes. Have fun at Friar’s
Lance 10.11.08 at 4:55 am
The idea behind whole body guided relaxation - very relaxing and calming. It just felt very comforting. I can see this being a very powerful technique for releasing the tension we have in our bodies. I’m trying to decide - is something like this a good way to start the day (first thing in the morning) or something that would be good at the end of the day (and after all the stresses of the day have built up in your body). I’m thinking the end of the day - however - it’s the start of the day that I would have more quiet time to do this.
I also like the idea behind the laughter. Even if it is planned laughter - it still has the same effect - releasing the tension.
Marelisa, great way here on how to reduce some of the stress we have. For me, it’s put me into a nice stress-free state to start the weekend! Enjoy yours!!
Lances last blog post..Coaches…Not Just For Football Players
Kelly@SHE-POWER 10.11.08 at 5:55 am
I read about laughter yoga just last week and it seemed like a very quirky exercise. I’m curious to check out the video after this. I use exercise, journaling, grounding exercises and massage to de-stress. I am getting right back into meditation lately, but I can’t do it when I’m stressed, not unless I do a grounding exercise first.
Have been very busy lately, but not stressed, so that’s good. Do have PMT right now, so feeling a bit cranky and down, but I know it’s just hormones so it’ll all be over soon. In the mean time I just need more cuddles and understanding, and luckily my hubby gets that.
Kelly
Linda Hampton RN, MSN 10.11.08 at 3:24 pm
Great videos. I do EFT often to help with stress. Thanks for adding to my stress management arsenal.
Linda
Linda Hampton RN, MSNs last blog post..Take It Easy and Enjoy Life
Evelyn Lim 10.12.08 at 8:19 pm
Although I have not tried all of the tips posted here, I’m behind all of them. You’ve already included two of my fav ones: EFT and meditation!
I’ve heard about Laughter Yoga. In fact, a group of fans of this exercise would gather on the beach here in Singapore every Sunday to practice it. I may just go and try it one day!
Evelyn Lims last blog post..Heroes Of Healing: Neale Donald Walsch
Mare 10.12.08 at 8:34 pm
Hi Lance: I’m glad you’ve entered the no-stress zone, at least for awhile
Some of these videos just last for about 3 or 4 minutes, so you can do them at any time of the day when you’re feeling stressed.
Hi Kelly: When I’m very stressed the muscles on the back of my neck tense up and I feel pressure behind my eyes. Then I do something like meditation or I find something to laugh at and I can just feel the muscles relaxing.
Hi Linda: EFT is great. I use it for everything from stress to money issues.
Hi Evelyn: I wish I had found a Sedona Method video to put up, I know you like that one too
Bamboo Forest 10.12.08 at 11:36 pm
These all look very interesting.
I have a practice of sitting meditation, every morning, which I find very effective for decreasing stress.
I also sometimes use Dr. Andrew Weil’s breathing exercise, of which you have shared on here before.
Interesting list.
Bamboo Forests last blog post..Cultivating Awareness: A Way to Launch You to The Top
Mare 10.13.08 at 10:32 am
Hi Bamboo: I found a breathing video on YouTube but I didn’t like it that much, so I didn’t add it here; but I’m a big believer in the power of our breath to help calm us down. I have Dr. Weil’s CD on breathing. Like you, I’m a fan of his
Friar 10.17.08 at 6:26 pm
What?
No mention of FISHING?
Friars last blog post..Friar-O-Lanterns (Part III)
Mare 10.17.08 at 8:37 pm
Hi Friar: If you find a good fishing video on YouTube send me the link and I’ll include it here