The Top 10 Ways to Manage Stress
Category: Health, Well-Being,Self-Care, Diet, Balance, Eating (BF37)Originally Submitted on 6/4/99.
When your reflexes kick in and the adrenaline starts pumping, you are beginning to hear the fight or flight alarm go off. Before the alarm is triggered you can manage your stress and improve your health by following these tips.
1. Be aware.
Notice how your own body signals you that it is feeling stressed. Notice when your blood pressure is going up and your heart is pumping fast and hard, or your palms are sweating. You can't respond to stress to manage it unless you stop and become very aware of it.
2. On a daily basis, keep track of how often you are irritable, fatigued, restless, have a pain, sweaty palms, racing heart, are eating out of control, or have headaches.
As you begin to notice stress, you can begin to know how you respond to stress. You must know your own symptoms so you can tackle them.
3. Listen to what others are telling you.
Sometimes we don't see or feel the stress until it is too late. Pay attention to what others are telling you. Do they say you look tired or look disturbed, etc? By listening to their feedback you can identify stress and control it.
4. Notice what your medical check-ups reveal.
Just because you think you handle stress well, doesn't mean you do. What does your medical check-up reveal about your blood pressure, thyroid and diseases? Physical symptoms of stress often show on medical exams.
5. Have a good belly laugh every day.
Laughter elevates the body's own painkillers and relieves stress. Watch a funny show or listen to a funny tape. Allow laughter at work and allow yourself to laugh at yourself. Lighten up!
6. Follow a healthy diet.
The right nutrients will provide you with the right energy to fight off stress. Eat less fat and more fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and whole grains. Have less red meat and less caffeine and refined sugar.
7. Exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes a day.
Do some form of exercise daily. Make it aerobic, like taking a walk or riding a bike. If you don't have 30 minutes in a block, take 15 minutes here and there. It is just as effective in bringing stress down.
8. Have something enjoyable to do every day.
Develop a hobby or find outside interests that take your mind far off from your stress and engage in these interests every day.
9. Use relaxation techniques.
Stop and breathe several times during the day. Take deep breaths. Engaging in yoga or meditation is also effective. Even just sitting still and listening to relaxing music or sitting quietly is great to calm the mind and body down.
10. Develop a family or community of support.
Talk to those you trust and develop strong social support systems.
About the Submitter
This piece was originally submitted by Terri Levine, Coach, who can be reached at terri@comprehensivecoaching.com, or visited on the web. Terri Levine wants you to know: I am a professional and personal coach who went from being overweight and living a life of high stress to someone who is thin, exercises, eats healthy and has great tools to handle stress. If you need some additional help in this area, call me for an introductory coaching session and I'll share some additional strategies with you. You can control stress and live healthy! Give me a call at 215-699-4949 for more information. To receive my newsletter, send an e-mail to requests@lists.webvalence.com with Subscribe CoachesCorner in the subject line.
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