Managing Your Stress Levels

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Managing Your Stress Levels Top 10 Real-Life Ways to Take Charge of Your

Stress

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So, what's the most effective route to managing stress? Here are some tips to

help you take charge of your life and reduce your level of stress:

Develop good coping strategies to use when you feel stressed — and practice

using them when you're feeling calm so you can call on them when your stress

level rises. Learn relaxation techniques, practice meditation, and engage in a

pleasurable physical activity. These methods all help to counter the stress

response in the body. If you can't learn them on your own, sign up for a course

on stress management or specifically on relaxation techniques. (Note: These are

not " new age " techniques — they have been proven to reduce stress.)

If you currently use harmful coping mechanisms, like drinking, smoking, or

overeating when stressed, commit to breaking those habits, and get help if

necessary. Join a support group focused on your issue.

Remember the " serenity prayer " and decide what you can and cannot change —

then take actions to change the things you can. Try to jettison any stress you

feel about things you have no control over.

If you are worrying about a particular issue or problem, develop a plan of

action to deal with it. And if someone can help guide you or give you input to

help you make decisions or a plan of action, seek out his or her assistance. It

may sound silly, but write down your plan, or make a contract with yourself

about what actions you will or won't take — and hold yourself to it!

Practice having a positive attitude. Attitude matters — you can view the

glass as half full or half empty, and it makes a tremendous difference. Practice

gratitude as well. It will focus your attention on the positive things in your

life and help you see opportunities and solutions.

Work on developing a resilient personality. Resilience is characterized by

five traits:

Insight — know yourself and accept the truth.

Adaptability — respond in creative and imaginative ways.

Responsibility — don't bother with blaming others or wait for someone else

to fix your problem.

Commitment — engage with the reality of life and commit to personal

growth.

Connection — communicate with openness and clarity.

Keep a journal and write down your concerns and worries, and then leave them

there, especially before you go to bed at night. Studies have shown that

journaling reduces stress levels and helps people put their lives into

perspective.

Have more fun, and develop your sense of humor. Seek out pleasurable

activities and events, and watch more comedy. Laugher is good medicine.

Carve out personal time every day, and indulge yourself with things that

bring you pleasure: a hot bath, dark chocolate, a good book, or music.

Establish a strong support system among family and friends and seek them out

when you need emotional support or guidance about problem solving.

Whatever your problems are, or whatever you are struggling with, know there

are people around you who can help. If you are overwhelmed with stress and feel

you can't see a way out, or you're struggling with chronic anxiety or

depression, you should think about seeking help from a professional, if you

haven't done so already. There's no need to go it alone. Good help and

successful treatment is available.