By Carol Smith

Stress continues to be a major health concern. As baby boomers transition into retirement, they are interested in the best ways to reduce stress. Here are a few simple tips to reduce stress.

Take short breaks throughout the day. When was the last time you looked at the restroom as a place to ‘rest.’ Whether at home or work, use the restroom as an opportunity to take some deep breaths, become centered and reenter the world reenergized.

Show up early. Do you get stressed when you’re running late for an appointment? Do you know the difference if you can show up early? If you’re one of those people that is continually late, consider what you would have to do to be early. Do you need to schedule it in your calendar 15 minutes early, or not try to do one more chore? If you are on time or early to your appointments, you feel like you have more control over your day, which will minimize much stress in your life.

Exercise. Get your heart pumping to minimize the feeling of stress. When you feel stress, cortisol and adrenaline are being pumped into your body. These hormones were designed to help you decide whether to fight or flight when you were out on the savannah. Exercise relieves the hormones by releasing endorphins which will make you feel good.

Laugh. Humor is one of the best releasers of stress. Make a comedy date when you watch a funny movie. Find excuses to let your hair down and have fun and laugh.

Enjoy friends. Companionship is a great stress reducer. Knowing that you care about someone and they enjoy you naturally reduces feelings of stress. Get involved in activities you enjoy where you can share the experiences with others. In addition to human friends, animal friends who you can love, walk and stroke will help reduce stress.

These tips to reduce stress may not get to the core reason you have stress. These suggestions are some of the best ways to reduce stress until you can live a simpler stress less life.