1. Music

Everyone has different ways of coping with stress, and each individual will develop their own strategies to deal with it. From first-hand experience and knowledge, I'd say that listening to music is a common stress reliever for most post-secondary and/or young adolescents. When dealing with a stressful situation or stress in general, sometimes the best thing to do is avoid it and distract yourself. Some students tend to listen to music while completing tasks or studying, but in my opinion that is a more difficult pathway since your mind is attempting to focus on multiple things at once.

I believe that interrupting what you are doing and taking a mental break, eases the stress and eventually helps in decreasing any possible physical or mental side effects that could happen later on. Listening to instrumental, spa, or relaxing music are some of my top favourites as it brings me into a state of silence, calmness and restoration. It is important to know though, that when you are avoiding or distracting yourself from stress, it does not make it go away and you eventually have to face it again at some point. A short break is healthy for you though and I find that when stress is reduced, your abilities to complete tasks become more efficient and productive.

From an article posted by Jane Collingwood regarding the impact that music has on reducing stress: listening to music, especially classical, has a tremendous relaxing effect on our minds and bodies. Music has the power to act as a distraction which aids in meditation and music therapy. As stated in the article, "music can have a beneficial effect on our psychological functions, slowing the pulse and heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and decreasing the levels of stress hormones" (Collingwood, 2007). Scientific studies have also been conducted in analyzing the effects that music has on people who are experiencing or have dealt with stress before. Studies have shown that music significantly reduces stress and anxiety in hospital or ill patients, it can relieve depression and increase self-esteem, it can improve overall mood, music therapy and/or meditation can reduce emotional distress and boost a person's quality of life, and listening to music can also help in memory retention as well as functions of the brain.

Check out the article for more inspiring and unique information on how music is a good, positive and healthy stress reliever. A personal challenge for you the next time stress enters your life, try listening to something new and different. Listen to Mozart or classical music and feel the difference it brings. http://psychcentral.com/lib/the-power-of-music-to-reduce-stress/000930/2