There's a definite link between body and brain, and when stress starts to put on the pressure, your whole being suffers. You may be mentally struggling with something stressful, but your body is going to react to that pressure, one of the reasons why stressed individuals often feel tired and worn out. Managing stress can focus on techniques that involve either the body or the brain, and sometimes the solution doesn't have to be all in one.

Feeling worn out and tired is a big complaint from people dealing with continual stress. The tendency is to get more sleep, but that can actually leave individuals feeling more lethargic and less energetic. Physical activity, even just walking or doing exercises at home, boosts the brain and releases plenty of hormones that help us feel better and improve our mood. By getting some exercise instead of lying around the house, you'll end up feeling more relaxed and refreshed.

Doing aerobic exercise is a popular choice when it comes to stress relief, because they are very low impact and do not require much upper body strength. This means that nearly anyone can do aerobics, regardless of their age or fitness level. Yoga and other stretching exercises are also excellent for stress relief. Stretching pulls your muscles in ways they are not used normally, forcing them to go through their full range of motion.

Doing this gets your blood flowing without breaking a sweat. It has been shown that stretching can wake you up and improves creativity among people who do it consistently. Pushups and sit-ups are always an option as well. Regardless of what physical activity you choose to manage your stress level, the important thing is that you give yourself an outlet for extra energy and get your body active so your mind can relax.

Stress also has a strong effect on your mind. It wears you down and keeps you from truly enjoying yourself. While you must put your mind to dealing with the source of your stress at some point, mental distractions can be a great relief, and are necessary for everyone, regardless of their stress level.

Your distractions need to be something that can help you relax and get your mind off of everything that is getting you down. Many people like to read, listen to music, play chess or other games, or just enjoy the company of family or friends. Hobbies can also be a great stress relief, just be careful not to partake in a hobby that has a tendency to frustrate you, or you may be feeling even more stressed than you were before.

Balancing your techniques to help both mind and body at once is the most effective. Applying stress management techniques to only one area of your being won't do as good a job as giving yourself mental distractions combined with exercise. Finding what works for you to keep stress levels at a manageable level is important, so try a variety of combinations until you find the one that's right for you.