Managing Stress

 

When your body is under stress the tension will often accumulate in your neck and jaw.  Take a few minutes to gently and slowly move your head from one side to the other and then from front to back, moving in a slow circle. 

 

Set small and smart goals for yourself and then work carefully and realistically towards achieving them.  Keep in mind that unrealistic goals never seem to be reached and this can add to your stress level.  Try to set just goal for yourself this week by using the SMART approach:

 

• SPECIFIC:  Pick one small goal and write it down.
• MEASURABLE:  Can you count it or check it off a list?
• ACHIEVABLE:  Is it realistic? If not, make it smaller.
• REWARDED:  Reward yourself when you reach your goal.
• TIME-LIMITED:  Set a specific, realistic date to finish or achieve your goal.

 

Laugh at stress.  Laughter is your body's natural stress-release mechanism.  Rent your favorite funny movie or record a TV show that you know makes you laugh.  You can keep the recording on hand for those stress emergencies.  Go to the library and borrow a book that you know will make you laugh.  Or read the daily comics in the newspaper. 

 

Another good way to deal with stress is to walk away from it all instead of sitting down for another cup of coffee on your coffee break, lunch hour or when you are sitting at home.  A short stress-relieving and energizing walk will help you cope with immediate stress by giving you a chance to step back and think about something else for a few minutes.  And the exercise will do you good!  Consider starting a walking club at work so that you can have company while you walk during your lunch hour.