Regardless of physical health, everyone will have occasional difficulty dealing with stress in their life. There are, however, certain steps you can take to reduce the impact of stressful situations.
- Concentrate on the present. Think about the future regarding changes you can make.
- Consider your problems one at a time. Sometimes lumping them together can make them seem overwhelming. If you look at each of your problems individually, it may be easier to see that each one is not as serious as you thought.
- Do not complain about your problems. Seek positive feedback from family and friends and listen to their opinions.
- Occupy yourself and your mind as much as possible. Social activities or outings with friends are better than being alone during a time of stress.
- Make a point of devoting some time every day to physical relaxation to take your mind off your problems. Deep breathing exercises, for example, can help to reduce tension.
- Try not to think about your problems before bedtime. You will sleep better if you can relax your mind and body.
If you need further help to cope with stress, talk to your physician, contact a local health department, or go to a community mental health agency. Consider joining a support group for people with similar problems.
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It is an intelligent thing to do to protect your health.