What Are You doing To Control Your Stress?

What are you doing to control your stress?

Learning to deal with stress effectively is a worthwhile effort, even if you already consider yourself capable of handling anything life sends your way.

Many of the most common long-term stressors—family illness, divorce, recovery after injury, career pressures, relocations—often arise without warning and simultaneously. Stress management is particularly valuable if your family has a history of hypertension and other forms of heart disease.

Identify the cause.You may find that your stress arises from something that's easy to correct.

Monitor your moods. If you feel stressed during the day, write down what caused it along with your thoughts and moods. Again, you may find the cause to be less serious than you first thought.

Make time for yourself at least two or three times a week. Even ten minutes a day of "personal time" can help refresh your mental outlook and slow down your body's stress response systems. Turn off the phone, spend time alone in your room, exercise, or meditate to your favorite music.

Walk away when you're angry.Before you react, take time to mentally regroup. Then look at the situation again. Walking or other physical activities will also help you work off steam.

Analyze your schedule. Assess your priorities and delegate whatever tasks you can (e.g., order out dinner after a busy day, share household responsibilities). Eliminate tasks that are "shoulds" but not "musts."

Set reasonable standards for yourself and others. Don't expect perfection.

Above all develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as your Lord and saviour.  He provides a peace that passes all understanding as we go through our stresses and trials.


adapted from
Integrative Health