Stress Management Strategies

The good news is you can have some control over how you manage stress. You can learn to manage stress though, and live a happier, healthier life. Stress management is about taking charge of your lifestyle, your thoughts and emotions and the way you deal with problems.
 
Begin by changing your attitude. Reframe the way you look at problems. Keep a positive attitude about the situation or problem instead of looking at the bad side or the what ifs. By doing this you are keeping things in perspective.
 

Express your feelings instead of holding them in. if someone or something is bothering you, speak out about your concerns in a respectful way. Don’t get angry but do talk about how you feel to clear the air.
 
Get in some form of exercise every day. Exercise benefits your mind as well as your body. A simple 20-minute walk, a run, swim or dancing when you are stressed can give you a calming effect for hours afterward.
 
On the same note, be careful about what you eat and drink. A well-balanced diet of food that is low in sugar and caffeine keeps you from getting edgy and feeling nervy.  Also limit the amount of alcohol and non-prescription drugs when trying to manage your stress. These can keep you from sleeping well and cause you to lose focus when you are working.
 
One strategy that many people have trouble with when managing their stress is getting enough sleep. It’s recommended to get six to eight hours of sleep a night. Stress can keep you from sleeping though. If getting to sleep or staying asleep is a problem you can do some things to help you relax. Try soaking in a scented bath thirty minutes before bed. Other ways to relax might be to journal or listen to soothing music.
 
Manage your time better to be less stressed. This includes saying no to projects and commitments. Avoid overscheduling by trying to fit too much into one day. Break big projects down into smaller steps. And finally, delegate some of the work and responsibility to others.
 
Laughter and smiles help you release the tension in your facial muscles that stress can cause. Watch funny movies or videos, get out with friends who make you laugh. Smile at others even when you don’t feel like it.
 
Learn to forgive and to feel gratitude. Accept things aren’t perfect and people make mistakes. Forgive others and yourself when mistakes happen. Be grateful for the things you appreciate in your life. Don’t forget your own positive qualities.
 
Get Silent and unplugged. Take a 5-minute break from all the noise we live in. Go into a room that’s private, say a bedroom or unused workroom or better yet, a place out in nature. Close your eyes and savor the peace and quiet. Listen to your own breathing, slow and steady.
Noise pollution is all around you. We are constantly dealing with cell phones, computers, social media, and electronic appliances that are constantly buzzing. At any given time during the day, we are surrounded by people at work or social situations, television and radio are constant background noise. All these things can keep you from being relaxed.
 
Finally, get support through friends and family. Opening up to others you trust can help relieve stress. Call friends who you know will understand and share your concerns and feelings.

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