How to Manage Stress
Not all stress is bad stress. And once you learn how to determine which stress is acceptable and which needs to go, you’ll be better off mentally and physically. So here are some helpful tips.
1) It helps to spend a few moments at the end of each day looking back to see where improvements can be made, so try to work this into your schedule. During this time frame, choose a calm place and time to look at the root of your any pressing stress concern or concerns of the day.
2) Have a notebook and pencil handy to use regularly for these sessions and jot down the day’s stressors. Don’t focus on good spelling and grammar. Just write, doodle with pictures, high light things, use color markers or whatever. Have fun and let off steam, if you like, and enjoy your creativity in dealing with your stress.
3) A helpful hint is to jot down two columns, listing your “Stressors” in one column, and “How To Handle Them Better Tips” in the other. Even in you don’t know how to handle them better, at least write them out. You can fill in blanks anywhere down the road.
4) Then take five minutes to clear your mind and calm down after writing out your stressors. For those stressors where immediate tips for improvements come to mind, jot down the improvement in the appropriate column. For those with no help, head online and seek help at forums and via online articles, or chalk them up for researching later.
5) Before closing up shop for the day, log your progress: if you need to research ideas for tackling a certain stressor or two (or more), go to your day planner and log research time there. And make sure to follow up.
Continue to improve your stress management by checking out library books on the topic and networking with family and other loved ones, friends, neighbors and business associates. People often discuss stress they’ve had during their days and weeks, sharing books that have helped them work through issues, television talk shows, radio programs and other helpful resources. Share yours, too, and take notes on what others have told you. In this way, you are also developing your own support network.
So reach out and give back. Don’t try to tackle all your stress management by yourself. Take a load off!