Stress is the feeling of tension when a person is affected by daily pressures of work, school and everyday activities. Stress causes the body to change both mentally and physically. The body's natural fight-or-flight response is activated when it feels the onset of stress. Physical signs and symptoms include increased heart rate, decreased appetite and headache. Feeling these symptoms over a long period of time can lead to further health problems. Learn to manage your stress levels by incorporating stress-relieving activities into your daily routine.
Step 1
Identify stress triggers. Understand what specific events cause the most stress in your daily schedule. Some people feel increased stress because of a long commute to work, while others may have stress due to financial problems. Resolve specific stress-causing situations by speaking with friends and family members. Meeting with a counselor that specializes in stress management and reduction can be beneficial as well. Meeting at a neutral location such as a park or diner may allow you to step away from the stressful situation and express feelings more freely. Implement strategies to resolve specific stressful situations. For example, if personal finances add a great amount of stress, seek aid from a financial representative or an accountant to reduce tension and worries.
Step 2
Understand that busy schedules can lead to increased stress. Keep a journal of all activities you are involved with for one week. Identify which activities caused more stress. Were there any activities that were unnecessary? Manage daily and weekly schedules to avoid stress.
Step 3
Practice relaxation techniques. Stress busters that relax the body can vary from meditation, yoga or physical exercise. Apply and integrate the techniques on a regular basis into your daily schedule.
Step 4
Control your reactions to situations. Keep your cool when a stressful situation arises. Ask yourself if the situation is worth getting emotionally involved in. Learn to walk away from specific incidents that will lead to stress.
Step 5
Follow set sleep patterns. Get adequate amounts of sleep every night by establishing a routine evening schedule. Eight hours of sleep is recommended, but some people may need more or less.
