If you're looking for an easy way to manage stress in your life or business, this article can help you solve the problem. Here are five efficient tips for instant stress relief:

Step 1 - Identify Stress Triggers.

Are there particular situations or people that stress you out? Is your boss giving you a hard time? Is it a pain to arrange a vacation, booking flights, hotels and arranging for watering the plants or feeding the cat in your absence? Then start by recognizing such "pitfalls" so you can handle them constructively when they show up. For instance, if you are planning a vacation, start in good time and take one step at a time.

Step 2 - Breathe.

When people are stressed or nervous they usually tend to breathe fast and shallow. In worst case scenarios, like anxiety attacks, you would gasp for air and have problems breathing. When you are stressing in your mind, your body is stressing as well. Muscles have to work harder, blood pumps faster, you get tense and so on. The whole process makes it very hard to think clearly. So, take several deep breaths whenever you are stressed. Allow air to pass through your body. It will help you relax.

Step 3 - Don't Worry.

Have you noticed that a lot of stressed people worry a great deal? For instance, they worry that things won't work out, there won't be enough time or money and so on. Well, believe it or not, but worrying won't get you anywhere. It will actually do quite the oppositedrag you down and stress you out even more. So, whenever you catch yourself worrying, think instead; "This won't contribute to the situation in any positive way. I'll stop worrying NOW."

Step 4 - Think Positively.

Instead of worrying, it might be a good idea to replace those thoughts with something pleasant instead. If anything, it will get your mood up and put a smile on your face. Do you worry that your car might break down? Think instead that if it breaks down you'll no longer contribute to the global warming effect. Think that you might even get a bit healthier and see the clear blue sky since you'll be walking or biking to work. In any case, just focus on the positive, and your stress will wash away.

Step 5 - Change Your Response.

Once you have identified a stressful situation and recognize the pattern, state to yourself that you are stressed. At this point you are able to decide whether you want to continue on a runaway stress train and get trapped in a negative loop - OR if you want to do something different with this situation. Such decision making creates a feeling of control. At any point you can tell yourself; "Hey, I won't go down the stress path today. Instead I'll do something different." Hopefully something constructive. Use your imagination!

That's really all there is to it. The next time you feel stressed, just go through these five steps in your mind, and your situation and mood will improve dramatically. Try it!