Stress has always been a part of our lives. In this hectic time, people lead an increasingly stressful life. Experts state a little stress can be good as it keeps you focused, ready to move forward, and is sometimes vital for achieving optimum performance. However, medical research has determined prolonged stress is very bad for the body, and can block the body's natural ability to repair, regenerate and protect itself. Over 90% of disease is caused by stress. Stress is both a physical and psychological response. It can lead to chronic disease, obesity, insomnia, deteriorating relationships, depression, and more.

Stress is such a powerful and harmful force that it is vital you learn effective stress management techniques to live a successful, happy, and healthy life. We must remember we will always come across inevitable factors that cause pressure and anxiety on us. What we do not know is it's not really the problems which are difficult to deal with, but our attitude towards them. So basically, the cause of stress is your attitude toward these things. What then, is an effective way to deal with stressors?

Below are 5 great tips to handle stress.

1. Identify what makes you stressed and uneasy. Making a list of your stressful experiences is useful. Immediately deal with the issues you can change, for instance waking up earlier for work in the morning, not leaving things till the last minute, and delegating tasks in case you are taking responsibility for everything. Forget about the issues you cannot influence like being stuck in a traffic jam or not getting into the elevator because there is no room for you.
2. Calm down. A few minutes break would do you good. Wash your face, breathe slowly and deeply, and notice if there is tension in any part of your body and release it. You can also listen to relaxing music, or call a friend. Releasing your inner feelings to a friend is healthy option.
3. It will pass and it will be over before you know it. Reminding yourself the stressful event will end sooner or later can make you see the positive sides of things. At the same time, calm down your emotions and think of what is the best thing to do rather than take your energy away from what needs to be done.
4. Know yourself. Ask yourself: What triggers your anxiety? If for example it's your job, then maybe it's time for you to reconsider whether it would be best to find a less stressful job. You can also make your job more tolerable by allowing yourself to take a much needed vacation.
5. Learn to use your relaxation reaction. Just as we all have within us the stress reaction, we also have a relaxation reaction, and we should use that on a regular basis. It requires two steps: A Repetition, for example repeating a word, a sound, an expression, or a movement. Secondly, ignoring thoughts that come to one's mind while you're doing the repetition, and coming back to your centre. This method should be used daily for a few minutes. The words to choose can be the sound Om, love, calm, peace, etc. You can also do a repetitive exercise, for instance yoga, jogging, Reiki. When you incorporate this into your everyday life, you become calmer and better able to handle the stressors. Practice makes perfect and the more you practice relaxing your mind, the easier it gets.

Mona Khalaf is a Reiki master teacher. She is certified in Vibrational medicine, certified NLP Master Practitioner, certified Life coach, and certified Quantum Touch practitioner. Find out how you can improve your life on all levels by visiting her website at: reikihealingpower.com