Stress Management Tips

People can learn to manage stress and lead happier, healthier lives. Here are some tips to help you keep stress at bay.

• Keep a positive attitude.
• Accept that there are events that you cannot control.
• Be assertive instead of aggressive. Assert your feelings, opinions, or beliefs instead of becoming angry, defensive, or passive.
• Learn and practice relaxation techniques; try meditation, yoga, or tai-chi for stress management.
• Exercise regularly. Your body can fight stress better when it is fit.
• Eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
• Learn to manage your time more effectively.
• Set limits appropriately and learn to say no to requests that would create excessive stress in your life.
• Make time for hobbies, interests, and relaxation.
• Get enough rest and sleep. Your body needs time to recover from stressful events.
• Don't rely on alcohol, drugs, or compulsive behaviors to reduce stress.
• Seek out social support. Spend enough time with those you enjoy. Strive to maintain loving relationships, establish healthy boundaries, stay connected with friends.

Reflect on the sources of your stress. Can you offload any of these areas? if you haven't done it, why not? look for meaning and purpose in what you decide to keep.
Focus on the present. Stay in the present. It doesn't help to worry about the future.
Practice acceptance. Accept what can't be changed and change what can be changed. If you can't change the situation, change how you react to it.
Accept and care for yourself like you do others. You are kind to them so be kind to yourself. Remember, you have to put on your own oxygen mask first before you help others.
Seek timely treatment with a psychiatrist or other mental health professionals.

Seek help. We all need help sometimes. None of us are so good that we shouldn't need help. We are human beings who need each other.
Reflect on aspects of your life for which you are grateful. Remind yourself that gratitude leads to happiness.

Smile, you have got this!