Remember, although some stress is really important and great for our overall health and well-being, if you find your response to most of the stress situations in your life is to ‘hit the roof’, then it’s time to re-think things:
- Pay attention to how your body reacts to stress; learn your triggers, and learn to recognize what part of your body sends you signals that you are giving the stress in your life the power to hurt you-
- Get regular rest and sleep. Lack of sleep and tiredness lowers your ability to handle stress, and can result in bad decisions, causing even more stress-
- Eat healthy foods. Foods high in sugars and processed food put your body in a stressful situation-
- Get enough exercise, and get it on a regular basis – at least three times a week take a walk, ride a bike, jump rope. Exercise is great for releasing tension-
- Meditate on a regular basis. If you don’t know how to mediate, take a class to learn or become interested in a mediation center near your home. Learn how breathing and acceptance helps you relax-
- Learn how to slow down. Try to do just one thing at a time. Turn off your phone, computer, TV, sit in quiet for a few minutes-
- Talk to trusted friends who will listen to you about what is stressing you out-
- Watch less TV and with other electronic attention grabbers. Spend time writing, exercising, reading or trying a new hobby-
- Set limits for yourself so you won’t be overwhelmed with too many responsibilities. Learn to say: “Let me think about it” before agreeing to do something-
- Try to reduce the clutter in your life-
- Next time you are stuck in a traffic jam or delayed, think of it as a “rest” rather than a “wait”. Practice your breathing-
- Limit your alcohol and caffeine intake. If you smoke – well you know what to do about that-
- Make an appointment with a mental health specialist if you are feeling overwhelmed and need some guidance on putting the breaks on your speeding life.