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Tips for managing Stress - 2008/04/15 02:46
Unmanaged, on-going stress may lead to serious physical and emotional health problems. If stress in your life seems insurmountable, you may find it beneficial to see a mental health counselor who can help you identify and better manage life's stresses.
Here are some tips to manage the stress that comes into all of our lives:
Increase your physical activity:
When you are nervous, angry, or upset, release the pressure through exercise or physical activity. running, walking, playing tennis, swimming or working in your garden are just some of the activities you might try. Physical exercise will relieve that "up-tight" feeling and relax you. remember, the mind and body work together.
Share your stress:
It helps to talk to someone about your concerns and worries. A friend, family member, teacher, or counselor can help you see your problem in a different light. Knowing when to ask for help may avoid more serious problems later.
Recognize your limits:
If a problem is beyond your control and cannot be changed at the moment, don’t fight the situation. Learn to accept what is—for now—until such time when you can change it. Focus on changing those situations (or people) that are within your power to change and accepting those situations (or people) that you cannot change.
Take care of your mind and your body: Get enough rest and eat well. If you are irritable and tense from lack of sleep or if you are not eating correctly, you will have less ability to deal with stressful situations. If stress repeatedly keeps your from sleeping, you should talk with your physician or with a counselor about the problem.
Make more time for fun and laughter:
Schedule time for both work and recreation. Play can be just as important to your well-being as work; you need a break from your daily routine to just relax, have fun, and laugh.
Become more of a participant:
One way to keep from getting bored, sad, and lonely is to go where it’s all happening. Sitting alone can make you feel frustrated. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, get involved and become a participant. Offer your services in neighborhood or volunteer organizations. Help yourself by helping other people. Get involved in the world and the people around you.
Prioritize tasks and your time:
Trying to take care of everything at once can seem overwhelming, and, as a result, you may not accomplish anything. Instead, make a list of what tasks you have to do, then do one at a time, checking them off as the are completed.
Become more cooperative:
Do other people upset you—particularly when they don’t do things your way? Try cooperation instead of confrontation; it’s better than fighting and always bing "right." A little give-and-take on both sides will reduce the strain and make you both feel more comfortable.
Learn to cry:
A good cry can be a healthy way to bring relief to your distress, and it might even prevent a headache or other physical consequence.
Dream and visualize peacefulness:
Create a quiet scene. You can’t always run away, but you can "dream the impossible dream." A quiet country scene painted mentally, or on canvas, can take you out of the turmoil of a stressful situation. Change the scene by reading a good book or playing beautiful music to create a sense of peace and tranquility.
Avoid self-medication and alcohol:
although you can use medications to relieve stress temporarily, they do not remove the conditions that caused the stress in the first place. Medications may be habit-forming and also may reduce your efficiency, thus creating more stress than they take away. They should be taken only on the advice of your doctor.
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