Stress is a major problem that affects everyone, directly and indirectly. There are two basic forms of stress. Eustress which is considered a good form of stress and distress which is the best known negative form of stress. Chronic negative stress can have serious consequences on health, life and productivity. I have personally seen the impacts of stress on myself, my family and others. So I felt compelled to research and write this article in hopes of helping others deal with stress. Here are the ten best methods, from different sources, for managing stress. I hope everyone who reads this finds benefit from it. The first five are the main resources and most of them can be done even in public places and can reduce stress levels in a short time. The last 5 are methods to reduce and prevent stress in our daily lives.1. Breathing. This may seem elementary since breathing is essential to life; During times of stress, many people tend to hold their breath. This is common and causes additional stress because this is when your brain needs oxygen the most to function and we hold our breath and deprive the brain of the oxygen it needs. It sounds complex, but it's actually a natural reaction we experience, just like tensing our muscles when we go out into the cold air. The next time you find yourself in a stressful situation, pay attention to your body and see if you are holding your breath or breathing shallowly. Here's something to try the next time you're feeling stressed. Inhale deeply through your nose, then exhale slowly through your mouth. Continue doing this for 10 to 15 breaths, focusing on the breathing method and number of breaths. You may also want...... middle of paper ......s. Doing things we love is a great way to relax and temporarily get away from it all. Hobbies are extremely effective in relieving everyday stress and provide us with a sanctuary for the mind. If you don't have a hobby, it's time to find one.10. Music. Music soothes the wild beast and nothing can be wilder than the effects of stress on our minds and bodies. Learning how different types of music can affect our mood is a great way to reduce stress and can also make us more productive. Classical music is a great stress reliever; jazz is another good genre for this. Other genres can energize us and prepare us to deal with stress, while some help us relieve stress. It really depends on each person's taste. Try the different forms and genres in different situations and note how you feel. This can provide useful information about what works.