10 Ways to Turn the Tables on Stress
Stress is a double-edged sword. The same adrenaline rush that helps you to meet challenges and deadlines also can leave you feeling burned out. Long-term stress can lead to heat disease, stroke or depression. So make stress work for you rather than against you by these simple suggestions.
- Adjust your attitude. View problems as opportunities to use you skills and knowledge.
- Plan ahead. Spending twenty minutes planning for the next week can prevent unnecessary surprises that can add to your stress load.
- Leave earlier. Give yourself five to ten minutes extra to arrive on time for work, meeting, church or other important obligations.
- Eat well. A low-fat diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains helps to strengthen your natural defense mechanisms and makes you more stress-resistant.
- Don’t hide it. If something is bothering you, talk about it with someone you can trust. Keeping stress bottled up makes it worse.
- Learn to say no. No one can do everything. Set limits on how much you can do in the time you have, then make sure you stick to those limits.
- Walk it off. When the stress mounts and anger and anxiety threaten to take control, go for a walk. Exercise can improve you mood while burning calories and helping your heart and lungs.
- Don’t go it alone. Studies have shown that people with social networks handle crisis better. Friends can help you handle stress.
- Try something new. Learn a new skill or return to a favorite hobby. This can be enjoyable and help to recharge your body.
- Get help when needed. If nothing seems to work, seek professional counseling.
Don’t let stress take over your life. With these simple suggestions, you’ll be able to turn the tables on stress.
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