Managing Stress for Health & Wellness

Managing Stress for Health and Wellness 

Stress is an omnipresent element of modern life. Unchecked, the accumulation of multiple stressors can have a damaging impact on both mind and body. While you can’t avoid all stress, you can implement self-care strategies that enable you to manage your stress. Some basic lifestyle practices can keep you healthy and strong so you’re better equipped to cope.

• Identify the cause(s) of your stress. You may find that your stress arises from something that’s relatively easy to correct. A psychologist or other behavioral health counselor can help you define and analyze these stressors, then develop action plans for dealing with them.
• Make time for yourself. Even ten minutes a day of “personal time” can help refresh your mental outlook and slow down your body’s stress response systems. At least two or three times per week, turn off the phone, spend some alone time, exercise, meditate, walk outdoors or listen to your favorite music.
• Walk away when you’re angry. Before you react to a potentially volatile situation, take time to mentally regroup by counting to 10. Then reexamine the situation. Walking or other physical activities also will help you work off steam.
• Eat sensibly. A nutritious, balanced diet—especially one low in fat and sugar—supports your health, strength and balance, enabling you to better handle daily stressors.
• Analyze your schedule. Assess your priorities and delegate whatever tasks you can (e.g., order out dinner after a busy day, share household responsibilities, etc.). Consider eliminating tasks that are “shoulds” but not “musts.”
• Have friends with whom you can talk. People who give and receive affection regularly, and who can share their feelings with someone who cares, tend to have fewer health problems and cope better with stress.
• Exercise regularly. Regular exercise helps people of all ages look and feel better, and it effectively helps relieve the stress of modern life. Take a brisk 30-minute walk or bike ride, pound a gym workout, or do whatever vigorous exercise you prefer.
• Prioritize sleep. Getting adequate sleep helps regenerate cells damaged by stress and fatigue. A lack of sleep seems to lower the threshold for the perception of stress, i.e., where typically trivial events can trigger your stress response. Sleep deprivation also impairs your decision making abilities, making stressful situations harder to navigate.
• Set reasonable standards. Don’t expect perfection from yourself or others!