Stress Management

Stress is a normal psychological and physical reaction to the demands of life. A small amount of stress can be good, motivating you to perform well.

However, many challenges daily, such as sitting in traffic, meeting deadlines and paying bills, can push you beyond your ability to cope. If you’re living with high levels of stress, you’re putting your entire well-being at risk.

Stress wreaks havoc on your emotional equilibrium, as well as your overall physical and mental health. It narrows your ability to think clearly, function effectively, and enjoy life.

Effective stress management helps you break the hold stress has on your life, so you can be happier, healthier, and more productive.

The ultimate goal is a balanced life, with time for work, relationships, relaxation, and fun—and the resilience to hold up under pressure and meet challenges head on.

But stress management is not one-size-fits-all. That’s why it’s important to experiment and find out what works best for you.

Here are some tips that can help you manage stress:

1. Identify the sources of stress in your life:

Stress management starts with identifying the sources of stress in your life. This isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. While it’s easy to identify major stressors such as changing jobs, moving, or going through a divorce, pinpointing the sources of chronic stress can be more complicated.

2. Cut out unhealthy ways of dealing with stress:

Unhealthy ways of dealing with stress such as smoking or drinking alcohol can worsen the situation. Instead, try to find healthy ways to cope with stress such as exercise or meditation.

3. Practice the 4 A’s of stress management:

Avoid unnecessary stress by learning how to say no or avoiding people who stress you out. Alter the situation by expressing your feelings or being willing to compromise. Adapt to the stressor by reframing problems or adjusting your standards. Accept the things you can’t change by looking for the upside or sharing your feelings with someone.

4. Get moving:

Physical activity plays a key role in reducing and preventing the effects of stress. Make time for at least 30 minutes of exercise, three times per week.

5. Connect to others:

Social support is vital in managing stress. Spend time with positive people who enhance your life.

6. Make time for fun and relaxation:

Set aside time for relaxation and fun activities that you enjoy such as reading or listening to music.

7. Manage your time better:

Poor time management can cause a lot of stress. Plan ahead and make sure you don’t overextend yourself.

8. Maintain balance with a healthy lifestyle:

Eat a healthy diet, reduce caffeine and sugar intake, avoid alcohol and cigarettes, get enough sleep. Stress management gives you a range of tools to reset and recalibrate your alarm system. It can help your mind and body adapt (resilience). Without it, your body might always be on high alert.

Don’t wait until stress damages your health, relationships or quality of life. Start practicing these techniques today.