STRESS AWARENESS MONTH

There are many different ways to manage stress. Basically, it's best to eliminate as many stressors as you can, and find practical and emotional ways to better handle the stressors that are left. The following are among the simplest and most effective stress management techniques. I urge you to try as many as you can, so you can have a collection of techniques that are the most effective for you.

FEEL BETTER NOW: If you want to lower your stress level in a matter of minutes, these techniques are all relatively fast-acting. Use them as needed to feel better quickly; practice them regularly over time and gain even greater benefits.

• Breathing exercises


• Meditation


• Reframing with a sense of humor


• Music


• Progressive muscle relaxation


• Yoga


• Exercise


• Guided Imagery/Visualizations


• Journaling


• Cognitive Restructuring: finding perspective

Take Care of Yourself: When we are stressed, we don't always take care of our bodies, which can lead to even more stress. Here are some important ways to take care of yourself and keep stress levels lower.

• Healthy eating


• Better sleep


• Exercise


• Hobbies


• Good nutrition


• Healthy sex life

Maintaining the Right Attitude: Much of your experience of stress has to do with your attitude and the way you perceive your life's events. Here are some resources to help you maintain a stress-relieving attitude.

• Optimism


• Being in control


• Overcoming perfectionism


• Using the law of attraction


• How to be happier


• Positive affirmations


• Maintaining a sense of humor


• Mindfulness and stress relief


• Letting go of stressful thoughts


• Letting go of anger


• Tips on having fun

Creating the Right Atmosphere: Your physical and emotional surroundings can impact your stress levels in subltle but significant ways. Here are several ways you can change your atmosphere and less your stress.

• Soothing environment


• Music


• De-cluttering


• Aromatherapy


• Positive energy


• Create a home spa

Resources for Busy People: Many stressed people are busy people - people who may have more stressors in their lives, and less time to devote to stress management. If you are a busy person, these resources can help you to manage stress efficiently in a short amount of time, and eliminate some of what's causing you stress in the first place.

• Ongoing stress reduction resources


• Time management


• Finding time


• Prioritizing


• Best stress relievers for busy people

Healthy Habits: Certain routines can help buffer you from stress; if you adopt a few of them, you can more easily manage stress without it becoming severe. The following are some healthy habits you may want to adopt, along with resources to make it easier to make them a lasting part of your life.

• Morning habits


• Habits for better sleep


• Choosing the right habits


• How to stick with new habits


• E-courses