You might be familiar with popular stress management techniques, but did you know that there are some ordinary tasks which serve as natural stress relievers?  You may not think of them formally as stress management techniques, but the following stress relievers can help you feel more relaxed and allow you to enjoy life more, and be productive, too. 

Garden
The physical activity of digging, pulling and planting can be a great stress release, while sunshine is a great source of vitamin D and inner peace. Planting, fertilizing and tending a garden of vegetables, flowers or anything else that grows, can be a wonderfully relaxing pastime, with the reward of delicious organic food, a beautiful bouquet, or a gorgeous yard as well! 

Sing! Loudly.
Belting out a favorite tune, either with the soundtrack backup or acappella.  Loud vocalization releases tension from your body, and music can therapeutically take your mind off your troubles. Singing in the shower is a great way to start the day.  Let the noise of the water drown out any flaws in your singing and fully immerse in the experience. Sing in the car, perhaps it'll cut down road rage. Chant a positive mantra, or simply Ohmmmmmmmm for a while. You'll see just how quickly this can put you into a mediative trance.

Play
Do you have enough fun? Playful interaction with kids can change your state of mind. If you have small children, do you really play with them, or just supervise? They'll love it if you roll on the ground with them and engage in doing arts and crafts too. Older kids can be great movie dates, and teens can be good shopping companions. If you don’t have kids, borrow a friend’s. Being present with them is good for the both of you to nurture your relationship. 

Dance

No worries if you don’t find a rhythm.  Just find a good groove and start boogying.  If you can get a partner-even better.  Practice in the living room, the kitchen when you’re cooking, at the bus stop, who needs a dance club! 

Sex
You probably already know that sex is a great tension reliever, but have you officially thought of it as a stress-relieving practice? Perhaps you should. The physical benefits of sex are numerous, and most of them work very well toward relieving stress. Sadly, many people have less sex when their stress levels are high. Clean
Throw on some music and de-clutter a drawer, a room, or your whole house. Spray and wipe your windows and watch the nice pattern you create, or let your hands bathe in the sudsy warm water as you wash dishes. The activity of washing your car, or vacuuming your carpets can release stress from your body, rewarding you with a cleaner space and more soothing surroundings when you’re done!

Play an Instrument or Learn One

Letting your creative juices flow has the effect exactly opposite of stress. It raises your feel-good receptors and helps you gain clarity.  An added benefit is that you may also impress your family and friends with a new tune and help them relieve their stress in the process!