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| Dealing with Stress | |
by Andrew Nixon, Ph.D.
Life without stress would be a very dull and unexciting existence.
Stress adds spice, challenge and opportunity to life. Too much stress,
however, can have significant negative effects on your physical and mental well-
being. It is important then to find ways to minimize stress and deal with the
stress
we are exposed to. Below are some suggestions for dealing with stress.
1. Try to adjust your attitude - are you being too much of a
perfectionist, too negative, or too much of a doormat? Recognize old patterns
and
change them. Try cooperation instead of confrontation. A little give and take
can
reduce strain and make both parties feel more comfortable.
2. Simplify your personal life. Give unused items away, organize your home
and
allow yourself to be less than perfect.
3. Find someone to share your stress with. It helps to talk to
someone about your concerns and worries. This could be a friend, family member,
teacher or counselor, someone who could help you see your problem in an
alternative light. Alternatively you could work through your stresses by
writing in a
journal.
4. Find a safety valve in sports or leisure activities. Running, walking,
playing
tennis, or working in the garden are examples of some activities.
Physical activity will relieve that 'up tight' feeling, relax you, and turn
that frown
upside down.
5. Manage multiple priorities. Making a list of tasks that you have to do
helps
prevent you from being overwhelmed. Give priority to the most important tasks
and
do those first. Look for ways to minimize urgencies while meeting your
customers'
needs. Learn to say no when there are other priorities.
6. Take care of yourself. Get enough rest and eat well. Avoid exhaustion and
burnout by maximizing your sleep time. If stress continually keeps you from
sleeping
well, talk over your situation with your doctor and develop a plan to improve
sleep.
7. Recognize any imbalances in your life and think about what you are willing
to
do to feel more centered. Make time for both work and recreation. It is
important to
have a break from your daily routine to just relax and have fun.
8. Schedule time during the day for relaxation breaks, which may be as simple
as stretching neck and shoulders, filling your water glass, or stepping outside.
Note : This information is educational and is not intended to replace standard
medical
care or advice.
About the author:
Andrew Nixon is the Founder and President of the Axionne Health & Fitness
Network.
Please email comments and suggestions to andy@a... This article and
others like it can be found on the Axionne Health & Fitness Network web page,
www.axionne.com.
Copyright Axionne Health & Fitness Network, 2002.
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