Stress Less

Preventing Stress

Develop a positive attitude: Your reactions to stressors are directly determined by your attitude. With a positive attitude and an optimistic outlook, you can be in control of your feelings and reactions to stressors.

Avoid controllable stressors: If shopping with your spouse causes you stress, agree not to shop together.

Plan major lifestyle changes: Even good lifestyle changes can exert their toll. If you plan to move, start a new job, get married and buy a new car all at once you are setting yourself up for a stressful time.

Realize your limitations: Learn how to manage or decline new responsibilities at home or work.

Prioritize: When faced with several tasks, prioritize from most important to least important and manage your time accordingly.

Work/Life Balance: Not overworking yourself; not taking work home with you.

Improve communication: You can significantly improve relationships and avoid stressful situations at home and work with improved communication. Listen carefully, admit when you are wrong, express your feelings and assert your thoughts.

Reward yourself: Treat yourself with a vacation, spa days or good book as you successfully overcome challenges.

Exercise: Physical activity for 30-minutes a day is one of the most effective ways to prevent and manage stress. Even a short 10-minute walk can help relieve your reaction to a stressful situation.

Eat and sleep well: Get enough sleep and eat a healthy, balanced diet for a lifestyle that helps you prevent stress.

Learn to let go! Don’t worry about the things that you can’t control.

Next — Stress Management