Ten:  Manage Stress

 

          Stress and tension are part of most people lives and threaten your health in many ways. Stress can come in the form of accidents, financial difficulties, problems at work, family issues, and poor health. The way to manage stress has a lot to do with your mental, emotional, and physical health. The following are some ways that you can manage the stress in your life:

 

• Understand where your stress is coming from.
• Take a close look at your life and see where you can make changes whether it be at work, at home, or your health.
• Find ways to relax such as massage, deep breathing, meditation, or yoga.
• Incorporate physical activity into your lifestyle.
• Practice time management.  Put your tasks into a priority list.  When you make your list take into account yourself, your family, and your job.  Using a check list will give you satisfaction when you complete a task.
• Eat a healthy and balanced diet.  Avoid sugar, fats, tobacco, caffeine, and alcohol as all of these items will put a strain on the way your body copes with stress.
• Make sure that you get enough sleep and rest.
• Talk with someone if there are things that are bothering you.  This can include friends, family, professional counselors, and support groups.
• Get out there and volunteer!  Helping others can give you a sense of purpose.
• Take some personal time.  This can include reading a book, watching a movie, listening to music, or any other personal time that you enjoy.
• Practice anger management.  If you feel that you have problems dealing with you anger find a support group that you can join.
• Take a vacation, no matter how short a time you can afford to get away.
• Don’t take on too many tasks at one time.  Learn to pace yourself.
• Don’t try to be perfect in everything that you do.