10 Ultimate Pleasures You Can Afford Yourself To Keep Stress Away | Emotional & Stress Management slideshows | Emotional & Mental Health center

Grab A Bite Of Dark Chocolate

Eating any kind of chocolate will help ease your stress, but dark chocolate is by far the healthiest. Dark chocolate contains many of the essential vitamins and minerals that our bodies need to get through the day. Not only that, but dark chocolate contains a compound that can help keep your heart healthy. The bittersweet taste is great for dipping fruit in; it adds extra flavor and makes you feel pampered. Eating dark chocolate helps reduce the levels of cortisol and increases serotonin. Serotonin is one of the most important hormones in the body due to its influence on sleep and mood.

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Kiss Your Partner

Kissing your partner is a great way to feel good no matter the situation. Kissing seems to just magically take away all of the stress that we are feeling and gives us hope in its place. Kissing naturally releases all of the feel-good hormones that we need. The chemical that our brain releases during both desire and reward is released when we kiss. This chemical is produced in the same area that is affected by addictive drugs, making love one of the most potent of them all. In men, we also find that a kiss can make a man produce the hormone oxytocin.

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Treat Yourself To Fresh Tuna Steak

Everyone knows that fish are a wonderful source of omega-3 fatty acids. What many people do not know is that those omega-3s do a lot more than prevent heart disease. They are crucial in preventing mood disorders. This is due to the fact that, by eating fish, the surges of hormones that are believed to directly cause stress are leveled out. Since fish are a natural source of many vitamins and minerals, women who are pregnant can safely use this as a way to prevent the feelings of anxiety that are felt during pregnancy.

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Rent A Comedy Movie From Video Store

Watching a funny movie makes us laugh. Laughing releases the happy endorphins that our bodies need to produce to have a healthy mind and body. Laughing allows us to forget the stresses of our day-to-day lives and encourages us to feel better about ourselves. The infectious sound of roaring laughter is the most contagious of all. Laughter triggers our bodies to make more energy and is a priceless medicine. Laughter can relax the whole body for almost an hour. The immune system is also strengthened, improving your chances of warding off diseases and can even protect you from a heart attack.

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Enjoy A Cup Of Tea

Tea is a very good stress reliever. The English loved it so much, they made a special time just for tea. And why not? Whether hot or cold, tea brings flavors to our mouths in a way that no other drink can. Tea is also one of the most customizable drinks available. Between the addition of fruit, herbs, spices, and sugars, there are thousands of different combinations to try. Hot tea is especially good for relieving stress as it can make us feel comforted and warm. Tea also gives us an opportunity to sit down and not worry about the day-to-day activities that leave us feeling worn-out.

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Go For A Chair Massage

Everyone loves getting a massage because of how it can relieve stress. Between the easing of the muscles and the relaxing environment of a spa, getting a chair massage is the best way to relax after a day of hard work. Chair massages are cheaper than a full massage, and they take up less time as well. Chair massages also focus only on the back and shoulders: the areas where most people carry their stress. Many spas and exercise clubs offer chair massages as a way to help you relax on your own time.

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Stretching Your Body Releases Stress

All of us have stress at one point or another in our lives. Stretching is one of the cheapest ways to relieve stress. With the dramatic awareness of how stretching can greatly benefit our lives, more and more people are piling into gyms to attend classes to learn different stretches. We all know that stress can cause your muscles to contract, leaving painful knots. The stretching exercises gently relax tense muscles. Stretching can alleviate back pain, especially in the lower areas of the back. Stretching also releases the same endorphins that your body releases during your normal exercise routine and laughing.

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Eat Exotic Fruits

Do not have time for a tropical vacation? Buy some exotic fruits that are not grown in your area for a quick trip to paradise. Eating exotic fruits tricks our minds into thinking that we are on a tropical island. Exotic fruits also have vitamins and minerals that will help soothe our minds and increase feelings of pleasure. Because we normally do not have these in our diets, they add a sense of vacation without the hassle. If it is a sunny day, put on your bathing suit and sit in the sun while eating the fruit.

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Call Or Meet With A Good Friend

We all have friends for a reason. Friends are great stress-relievers and problem-solvers. Friends are the ones who we run to when we have problems. Just sitting down and talking through our problems releases all the stress that we have, making way for more positive emotions to take over. Meeting up with friends is a great way to enjoy our day. Even if you do not have any money to spend, meeting up with friends gives us the opportunity to get out of the house and have fun. So seize the day and get in touch with a friend.

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Go Outside - Enjoy Life

Going outside is one of the best ways to relieve stress. There are many great activities that you can do either by yourself or with a group of friends. You could take a quiet day to hike along a trail or go for a bike ride. Even site-seeing in your town gets you up, and off your feet. The sun provides vitamin D, which is one of the most important nutrients that we need to stabilize our moods. Even if you only have enough time for a quick walk, going outside will surely improve your mood as well as your well-being.