10 Tips to Manage Stress
We all have stress in our lives. Some stress adds flavor, challenge, and excitement. Too much stress, however, can cause problems. Here are 10 tips to help you manage stress:
- Practice Acceptance. Many people get distressed over things they feel they can’t accept. Often these are things that are not under their control, like someone else’s feelings, beliefs, behavior, or decisions. Try to let go of things over which you have no control, and see how much lighter you feel.
- Don’t Dwell on Contrasts. Competition breeds stress. Learn to notice the similarities between yourself and others rather than the differences. In so doing, you will replace separateness, greed, and jealousy with compassion, connectedness, and harmony.
- Learn to Relax. Throughout the day, take mini-breaks. Sit down and get comfortable. Slowly take a deep breath in, hold it, and then exhale very slowly. At the same time, let your shoulder muscles droop and relax your body. Visualize a pleasant, restful scene and say something positive like, “I am relaxed.”
- Talk Rationally to Yourself. Ask yourself what real impact the stressful situation will have on you in a day or a week. Are you feeling aggravated by a temporary situation? Try to imagine how large this problem will loom given the passage of time.
- Ask Questions! Don’t assume anything. If you are wondering about something, go directly to your supervisor. Coworkers have their own perceptions about things, and may not have the right information.
- Try Physical Activity. Physical activity has been proven to provide relief from stress. Include a walk in your day—even if it’s just around the block. It gets you out of the office and may give you a fresh perspective. Develop a regular exercise program to help reduce the effects of stress before it becomes distress.
- Reduce Time Urgency. Where possible, practice the notion of pace, not race. If you frequently check your watch or worry about being late, allow more time than you think you will need to get things done. The reduction in the amount of stress you feel as you go through your daily tasks will be a reward in itself.
- Balance Work and Fun. Balance work demands with some fun and private time. Hobbies are good antidotes for daily pressures. Unwind by taking a quiet stroll, watching a sunset, enjoying time spent with friends or simple activities.
- Watch Your Habits and Eat Sensibly. A balanced diet will provide all the necessary energy you will need during the day. Eat chocolate, but don’t go wild with it—just 2 squares of dark chocolate are filled with antioxidants. Avoid non-prescription drugs and minimize your alcohol use—you need to be mentally and physically alert to deal with stress. Be mindful of the effects of excessive caffeine on nervousness. Also, make sure you are getting enough sleep.
- Talk to Friends or Family. Friends and family can be good medicine. Vent, but do it carefully. Daily doses of conversation, regular social engagements, and occasional sharing of deep feelings and thoughts can reduce stress quite nicely. But it’s best not to engage in a lot of negative conversation.
