Tips for Managing 'Stress'

Identify the sources of stress in your life.

Look at how you currently cope with stress.

Think about the ways you currently manage and cope with stress in your life. Your stress journal can help you identify them. Are your coping strategies healthy or unhealthy, helpful or unproductive? Unfortunately, many people cope with stress in ways that compound the problem.

Unhealthy ways of coping with stress are:

Smoking	Using pills or drugs to relax
Drinking too much	Sleeping too much
Overeating or under-eating	Procrastinating /Delay/postpone all work
Zoning out for hours in front of the TV or computer	Filling up every minute of the day to avoid facing problems
Withdrawing from friends, family, and activities	Taking out your stress on others (lashing out, angry outbursts, physical violence)

Dealing with Stressful Situations ‘The Four A’s’

Change the situation: Avoid the stressor. Alter the stressor.

Change your reaction: Adapt to the stressor. Accept the stressor.

#1: Avoid unnecessary stress Learn how to say “no” Avoid people who stress you out Take control of your environment Avoid hot-button topics Prioritize your to-do list	#3: Adapt to the stressor Reframe problems. Look at the big picture. Adjust your standards. Focus on the positive.
#2: Alter the situation Express your feelings instead of bottling them up. Be willing to compromise. Be more assertive. Manage your time better.	#4: Accept the things you can’t change Don’t try to control the uncontrollable. Look for the upside.. Share your feelings. Learn to forgive.

Make time for fun and relaxation

Healthy ways to relax and recharge:

Go for a walk.	Play with a pet.
Spend time in nature.	Work in your garden.
Call a good friend.	Curl up with a good book.
Write in your journal.	Listen to music.
Savor a warm cup of coffee or tea.	Watch a comedy

• Set aside relaxation time. Include rest and relaxation in your daily schedule. Don’t allow other obligations to encroach. This is your time to take a break from all responsibilities and recharge your batteries.

• Connect with others. Spend time with positive people who enhance your life. A strong support system will buffer you from the negative effects of stress.
• Do something you enjoy every day. Make time for leisure activities that bring you joy, whether it be stargazing, playing the piano, or working on your bike.
• Keep your sense of humor. This includes the ability to laugh at yourself. The act of laughing helps your body fight stress in a number of ways

Adopt a healthy lifestyle

You can increase your resistance to stress by strengthening your physical health.

• Exercise regularly..
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Reduce caffeine and sugar.
• Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs.
• Get enough sleep.

Take time out for yourself, say…10 minutes Everyday, before going to sleep Think

• What caused your stress (make a guess if you’re unsure).
• How you felt, both physically and emotionally.
• How you acted in response.
• What you did to make yourself feel better

Each time you feel stressed, you keep a daily record or a journal, you will begin to see patterns and common themes. It will help you identify your regular stressors and once you identify it becomes easier to deal with them