It’s a good bet that everyone has been stressed out a time or two. Stress happens for some people over the smallest things and can add up over time to become an overwhelming force to be reckoned with. Too much stress can have a detrimental effect on your physical and emotional well-being, and it can eventually lead to a crash of the body and mind that can take months to recover from. Luckily there are ways to help relieve stress before it gets out of control.

One natural, healthy way to relieve stress is through exercise. It’s a proven fact that exercise releases endorphins into your body. These neurotransmitters exist to make you feel better, but they can also help you forget about the stress you’re feeling. A good sweat session can also allow you to release frustrations you’ve been holding onto, and can potentially lead to you letting them go. The mood boost you’ll get from working out can last for hours, as can the influx of feel-good hormones. You should always speak with a medical professional prior to starting a new workout regimen, however, if you have not been active for quite some time.

Another good stress reliever is massage. This is an especially effective method of stress relief when your body begins feeling its effects. A licensed massage therapist will know a number of techniques and strategies to help loosen up your back, shoulders, and neck, some of the places where physical stress is housed, and help you relax. In addition, massage can be a tremendously effective way to help you “shut off” your mind and just stop thinking about the stresses in your life for a brief period.

Once you have some of your stress under control, physically, it may not hurt to speak with a professional about stress support supplements as well. The right kind of supplement can help you maintain the mind-and-body balance you have achieved through physical means for an even longer time.

Stress happens, no matter what you do. It’s impossible to avoid, but it’s not impossible to treat. Speak with a medical doctor about the stress relief methods that are right for you, and then get moving. There’s nothing to lose but the anxiety you’ve been feeling, and a whole new, stress-free world to gain.