Ways to cope with stress

Stress is something we all face. It can come in many forms throughout our daily lives. How many times have you heard it or said it yourself: "I'm so busy I can hardly catch my breath"? It's become a modern-day mantra as so many of us find ourselves trying to balance the demands of work and family. As a result, we feel stressed out, overwhelmed, out of steam. Living with stress can take a toll on both your emotional and physical health. Managing stress is all about taking charge: taking charge of your thoughts, your emotions, your schedule, your environment, and the way you deal with problems. The ultimate goal is a balanced life, with time for work, relationships, relaxation, and fun.  If you're struggling with stress, try these strategies to help get it under control:

1. Look for ways to avoid stress. Try to see less of people who get on your nerves.
2. Learn how to say “no” – Know your limits and stick to them. 
3. Take control of your environment – If the evening news makes you anxious, turn the TV off. If traffic’s got you tense, take a longer but less-traveled route.
4. Avoid hot-button topics – If you get upset over religion or politics, cross them off your conversation list. If you repeatedly argue about the same subject with the same people, stop bringing it up or excuse yourself when it’s the topic of discussion.
5. Don’t try to control the uncontrollable. Many things in life are beyond our control— particularly the behavior of other people. Rather than stressing out over them, focus on the things you can control such as the way you choose to react to problems.
6. Make time for joy in your life. Do things that give you pleasure or help you feel more peaceful. Spend time with people who make you laugh. Play with your pet or go for a walk in the park. Look for the beauty in the moment - a bird outside your window, the flowers in your garden, a baby's smile.
7. Get some exercise. Physical activity is a great stress-buster that's good for your heart. Find something you enjoy, such as walking, swimming, or biking. But always check with your doctor before you increase your activity level.
8. Create a retreat. Make a place where you can get away from it all, even if it's just for a few minutes. Take a warm bath. Put on some soothing music, close your eyes, and let yourself relax.
9. Relax your standards. Perfectionism can be a major source of stress. Ease up on yourself. Aim for good enough, not perfect.
10. Beware of unhealthy quick fixes. Drinking too much, smoking, or overeating won't make things better and may make you feel worse. Instead, focus on healthy meals and getting enough rest.
11. Share your feelings. Talk to trusted friends or find a support group. It may not change the situation, but expressing your feelings can often help you feel better. If you're overwhelmed, get professional help.
12. Learn to forgive. Accept the fact that we live in an imperfect world and that people make mistakes. Let go of anger and resentments. Free yourself from negative energy by forgiving and moving on.

13. Positive Self-Talk

Self-talk is one way to deal with stress. We all talk to ourselves; sometimes we talk out loud but usually we keep self-talk in our heads. Self-talk can be positive ("I can do this" or "Things will work out") or negative ("I'll never get well" or "I'm so stupid").

Negative self-talk increases stress. Positive self-talk helps you calm down and control stress. With practice, you can learn to turn negative thoughts into positive ones. For example:

 
To help you feel better, practice positive self-talk every day —  in the car, at your desk, before you go to bed or whenever you notice negative thoughts.

Having trouble getting started? Try positive statements such as these:

• "I can get help if I need it."
• "We can work it out."
• "I won't let this problem get me down."
• "Things could be worse."
• "I'm human, and we all make mistakes."
• "Some day I'll laugh about this."
• "I can deal with this situation when I feel better."

Remember: Positive self-talk helps you relieve stress and deal with the situations that cause you stress.

14. Emergency Stress Stoppers

There are many stressful situations —  at work, at home, on the road and in public places. We may feel stress because of poor communication, too much work and everyday hassles like standing in line. Emergency stress stoppers help you deal with stress on the spot.

Try these emergency stress stoppers. You may need different stress stoppers for different situations and sometimes it helps to combine them.

• Count to 10 before you speak.
• Take three to five deep breaths.
• Walk away from the stressful situation, and say you'll handle it later.
• Go for a walk.
• Don't be afraid to say "I'm sorry" if you make a mistake.
• Set your watch five to 10 minutes ahead to avoid the stress of being late.
• Break down big problems into smaller parts. For example, answer one letter or phone call per day, instead of dealing with everything at once.
• Drive in the slow lane or avoid busy roads to help you stay calm while driving.
• Smell a rose, hug a loved one or smile at your neighbor.