Dealing with Stress

Life without stress would be a very dull and unexciting existence. Stress adds spice, challenge and opportunity to life. Too much stress, however, can have significant negative effects on your physical and mental well- being. It is important then to find ways to minimize stress and deal with the stress we are exposed to. Below are some suggestions for dealing with stress.

1. Try to adjust your attitude - are you being too much of a perfectionist, too negative, or too much of a doormat? Recognize old patterns and change them. Try cooperation instead of confrontation. A little give and take can reduce strain and make both parties feel more comfortable.

2. Simplify your personal life. Give unused items away, organize your home and allow yourself to be less than perfect.

3. Find someone to share your stress with. It helps to talk to someone about your concerns and worries. This could be a friend, family member, teacher or counselor, someone who could help you see your problem in an alternative light. Alternatively you could work through your stresses by writing in a journal.

4. Find a safety valve in sports or leisure activities. Running, walking, playing tennis, or working in the garden are examples of some activities. Physical activity will relieve that 'up tight' feeling, relax you, and turn that frown upside down.

5. Manage multiple priorities. Making a list of tasks that you have to do helps prevent you from being overwhelmed. Give priority to the most important tasks and do those first. Look for ways to minimize urgencies while meeting your customers' needs. Learn to say no when there are other priorities.

6. Take care of yourself. Get enough rest and eat well. Avoid exhaustion and burnout by maximizing your sleep time. If stress continually keeps you from sleeping well, talk over your situation with your doctor and develop a plan to improve sleep.

7. Recognize any imbalances in your life and think about what you are willing to do to feel more centered. Make time for both work and recreation. It is important to have a break from your daily routine to just relax and have fun.

8. Schedule time during the day for relaxation breaks, which may be as simple as stretching neck and shoulders, filling your water glass, or stepping outside.

Note : This information is educational and is not intended to replace standard medical care or advice.

About the author:
Andrew Nixon is the Founder and President of the Axionne Health & Fitness Network. Please email comments and suggestions to [email protected]. This article and others like it can be found on the Axionne Health & Fitness Network web page,www.axionne.com.

Copyright Axionne Health & Fitness Network, 2002.
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