Stress Management Facts and Tips

Whether you’re the CEO of a company or a stay-at-home mom, stress is part of your daily life. Depending on how you cope with it, stress can have both positive and negative impacts. Defined as wear and tear on your body due to changing environments, stress can act as a motivator and compel you to action or it can cause serious health problems.

Headaches, insomnia, rashes and heart disease are all potential consequences of a stressful lifestyle. Other possible health issues include high blood pressure, ulcers, tension and upset stomach.

Knowing how to manage your stress levels can help you prevent these problems from arising. Check out the following tips to help make stress management part of your daily life.

• Make a list. Prioritize your tasks and concentrate on one thing at a time.
• Take a break. Go for a walk during your lunch hour and take 3–5 minute relaxation breaks throughout the day.
• Ask for help. Develop supportive friendships, spend time with your pets and look to your family members for help with household chores.
• Relax. Take deep, calming breaths. Don’t worry about the past or future - focus on what you can do right now.
• Be realistic. Think about what you can actually accomplish. Don’t commit to more than you can handle.
• Take a nap. Being tired makes you more susceptible to stress-related illness, so get plenty of rest.

Other methods for reducing stress include eating a balanced diet, exercising 3–4 times per week and avoiding caffeine, nicotine and other stimulants.

Everyone deals with stress differently - find what works for you and stick with it. You’ll be happy, healthy and stress-free in no time at all.