How to Manage Stress

Stress management is a technique we all need to know. There is stress in everyone's lives. Holiday stress, work related stress, and/or stress at home. You can either be reactive to this overwhelming state of mind, or become proactive to manage stress.

There are many ways to manage stress and provide relief. There are time management, deep breathing, and relaxation techniques that will help you control how you deal with stress but the major remedy involves learning to say 'NO' and to set parameters for yourself.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Know what causes stress in your life.
• A few minutes by yourself to help manage stress.
• Knowledge of stress management techniques.

1. Manage Stress - Two Minute Mental Health Break
   
   Whenever you feel stressed, for any reason, there is always two minutes you can take a quick mental health vacation. This is when you turn your thoughts to yourself and your breathing a a relaxation technique. Take a few deep breaths, exhaling slowly. and mentally scan your body. Do you notice any areas that feel tense or cramped. Stretch you arms out, bend from side to side to help quickly loosen up these areas. Move your head to your right shoulder, then to the left shoulder, move your head forward from your chin to your chest and move your head backwards. Roll your shoulders forward and backward several times. Let all of your muscles completely relax. Recall a pleasant thought for a few seconds. Take another deep breath and exhale slowly. You should feel more relaxed.

2. Manage Stress - Give Yourself Some Breathing Room
   
   When in stressful situations you tend to breathe shallow and rapidly, which intensifies your anxiety. To counteract this do some deep breathing exercises. Place your hand just below your navel (lets call it your sweet spot) and inhale until that spot fills up. Then let it out, slowly. When you feel like all the air is out, push to exhale a little more. You have not made extra room to inhale slowly, again. Inhale, very slowly to fill your sweet spot back up, and exhale, then exhale a little more again. With each breathe you will feel more relaxed. When you take a few moments and 'give yourself some breathing room' you will be able to deal with the triggers causing you to be stressed.

3. Manage Stress - Posture Yourself To Defeat Stress
   
   When at work during a break, after lunch, or whenever you need to re-posture yourself to face a stressful situation try this relaxing posture. Sit somewhere quiet. Slowly round your shoulders so they feel relaxed and lower your arms to your sides. With the palms up, rest your hands on the top of your thighs. Bend your knees comfortably while extending your legs. Allow your feet to fall outward, supported by your heels. Next, let your jaw drop, close your eyes and practice your deep breathing for several minutes. This posturing technique will refresh your entire body and relax you.

Tips & Warnings

• Will stress affect your overall health? Yes. When you know the symptoms of stress in your life it will help you manage stress. If you feel anxiety, depressed or fatigued these are signs of stress that need to be addressed.

Resources

• How to Make Choices and Decisions For Your Life
• How to Take One Step At A Time To Achieve Personal Goals
• How to Find Money You Did Not Know You Had
• Recommended Information on How To Manage Stress

[Melanierose]

on 9/13/2008 I love the opening pic! Nice article well written.

[ebnickiea]

on 9/12/2008 I wish I could learn to just say no. thanks for the tips.

[Aprilshowers]

on 9/12/2008 thanks for the article, I agree with vikki9...wonderful suggestions.

[purrfect1969]

on 9/12/2008 And try to get some sleep. I have been really stressed for a while. Finally, got a good night's sleep and now I feel a lot better. I even feel more in control.

[cyclegirl98]

on 9/12/2008 Thanks!