Handling Stress

Before it Handles You!

What was your day like today? Did you wake up late, slurp down a cup of coffee and speed through busy traffic on your way to work? What about after work? could you come home and relax or were you forced to finish up errands from last week? With the pace of life reeling out of control, stress and the overwhelming sensation that comes with it is becoming a problem for almost everyone. Recent research proves that great amounts of stress affect both our physical and mental health.

It has been proven that overstress or exposure to long periods of stress creates serious health effects in terms of our cardiovascular system and blood pressure. Overstress is also linked to various other illnesses as well.

Tips to help you cope:

• Exercise regularly.
• Concentrate on the present. Don't dwell too much on the past or worry about the future.
• Try not to lump your problems together. Instead, take them one at a time to keep from feeling overwhelmed.
• Occupy yourself and your mind with social activities during stressful times.
• Maintain a daily routine. A familiar pattern can increase security when stress seems to be taking over.
• Take deep breaths for one minute each day.
• Get regular, adequate amounts of rest and sleep (6 to 10 hours per night.)
• Schedule your time realistically. Don't be afraid to short change yourself when it comes to your daily to do list.
• Even brief stress breaks of 10 or 15 minutes can be helpful.
• Don't take your problems to bed.