How to Cope with Stress

Between dealing with the family, your job, money issues, and whatever other problems you may have in your life, it may seem like stress is an unavoidable aspect of life; And you would be right! We all have stress in our daily lives, but what really counts is not about not having stress at all, but rather how to cope with and relieve it.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Your stressed-out self!

1. 
    
   Make a little time for you to de-stress

   The first, and most important step in relieving stress is to make time for yourself. At least an hour a day devoted to you, and only you. Turn off the phones, shut off the television, put the kids to bed... Whatever it takes to get one measley little hour of YOU time.

2. Read a book. One of the easiest, and maybe most overlooked ways of stress relief is by reading a book. Books take our imaginations on an adventure, to another time, or place, through the eyes of another person. Sitting down in a nice, quiet place and reading a book can help you get your mind off what may be troubling you.

3. 
    

   Light a few candles. Candles can be a very powerful method of stress-relief. Whether you like them scented, or not, candles create an ambience, and a certain warmth that helps stress melt away. Lighting a couple candles will instantly create a more serene setting.

4. 
    

   Take up a hobby. No matter who you are, there is a hobby out there just calling your name. Whether you like stamp-collecting, drawing or painting, birdwatching, etc. you can surely find something you enjoy to do. The point of this step, is to take time out of your day to do something that you WANT to do, not something that you are forced to.

5. Last but not least. When you find something that works for you, keep at it. Stress builds over time. You can't just read a book once, and you will magically be stress-free for the rest of your life. Practice stress management techniques daily, and you will be much better at overcoming the rigors of life.

Tips & Warnings

• Always make some YOU time in your day, even if it's just for an hour.
• Distance yourself from the people who are causing you stress whenever possible.

[starlet67]

on 5/21/2009 Great tips like the candles...they really help me!Nice use of pics!5*

[lyd1030]

on 5/19/2009 very nice ideas. Thanks

[evgnspaces]

on 5/19/2009 Coping with stress is something we all need to do more often. You have to let the steam out of the kettle or it will blow.

[agape7755]

on 4/27/2009 Well written article! Thanks! 5*/recommend

[chenderson00]

on 4/26/2009 Hm. My comment cut off. Read and jogging lighten my stress instantly. 5*s