Stress is your body's way of protecting itself. It gives you that extra strength in an emergency situation like that sudden reflex to slam on the breaks at just the right moment. It also helps you stay focused, alert, and energized during important situations. It gives you that sharpness to complete a big presentation at work or making that game-winning point.

However, too much stress can be hazardous to your health. At a certain point, stress hurts your mood, relationships, and your daily life. It can even lead to serious disease like diabetes, gastrointestinal problems, and even premature death. Read on to find some surprisingly easy ways to relieve stress.

[Attachment] Spontaneous Kissing

That's right, kissing. Kissing releases endorphins in the brain that counteracts stress as well as depression. So after a long, stressful day, kissing your significant other might just be your key to stress relief. Guess it's time to cut PDA fans some slack. Clearly they're just very stressed.

[Attachment]Cuddling

Keeping with the PDA theme, cuddling is another way to relieve stress. Now this isn't necessarily what you're thinking. I'm talking about hand holding and hugging. Both of these actions can stimulate nerve endings under the skin. This sends a calming message to the brain. So whether it's a significant other, family member, or friend - sometimes you just need to hug it out.

[Attachment]Drinking Tea

After water, tea is the most popular drink in the world. Americans alone drink 2 billion gallons a year. Drinking black tea four times a day can reduce your amount of stress after an intense situation. Green tea has also shown to change brain wave activity that produces anxiety into waves that produce relaxation. Even the break a simple teatime provides can be just as calming.

[Attachment]< /a>Leave Work at Work

With the ever-expanding advances in technology, people can now work 24/7. Spending eight hours a day at the office isn't enough anymore. Deadlines begin to shrink and more work is crammed into a week than ever before. By bringing work home, you're now combining the stress of work with your home life. This just sounds like a recipe for stress overload. Leaving work at work gives you that down time to focus on your family and the rest of your life. Give yourself a break. Let your body and mind relax and recharge for the next day.

[Attachment] Eat Your Fruits and Veggies

Often times when you're stressed, you reach for comfort food. Research has shown that reaching for fresh produce instead can actually reduce stress and continually keep it at bay. Eating seven to eight servings of fruits and veggies a day can improve your mood that day as well as the next. People have admitted to feeling calmer, happier, and more energetic.

So what makes produce so special when it comes to your mood? The complex carbohydrates increase the levels of serotonin, the feel-good hormone. Other nutrients like flavonols and omega-3 fatty acids also contribute to a better mood.

[Attachment ]Reflect On What Really Matters

Look back at all of the times you've been stressed. How important was it to be that stressed out? Often when you're stressed it helps to stop and take a step back. Analyze the situation you are in. Is it really worth getting worked up about? Is there any solution to the problem? This can make you realize that some things are out of your control and not worth the stress.

Being stressed is a reasonable response to difficult and intense situation. Often the simplest thing can help you cope. Try these surprisingly easy stress reducers next time you are stressed out. Let us know if they work. Also, share with us other tips that have worked for you!