Sunday, June 21, 2015

4 Ways to Handle Stress

The American Heart Association gives us great advice on healthy ways to handle stress:

1.     Self-talk which is positive instead of negative will help us deal with stress.  What do you say to yourself when you are stressed?  Have you ever considered whether you are making yourself feel worse by talking negatively?  For example, instead of saying a negative such as “I hate it when this happens.”  Say something positive to yourself, like, “I’ve dealt with this before.  I can do this today also.“

2.     Emergency practices which decrease your stress such as: “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 made 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.”

3.     Find pleasure.  Add things to your life that give you joy.  Try to add one activity which gives you pleasure every day. 

4.     Relax.  Learn how to meditate, pray, practice yoga and any other activity that you enjoy which gives you time to quiet your mind and relax. 

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