5 Things You Need to Know About Coping With Stress

1. Stress and the Mind/Body Connection

Stress is a part of everyone's life; it's how you deal with it that makes the difference. Stress not only causes emotional upheaval, but also physical symptoms in the form of sleeplessness, headaches and stomach problems. Endured long term, it's thought to contribute to the development of disease. Learn to manage stress by realizing that it's your life, and you're in control.

2. Stress Triggers

Stress is very personal; what causes incredible stress in one person, another might enjoy. It's important to identify stress triggers in your life and determine what you can to eliminate them, minimize them, or learn to cope with them. Experts recommend keeping a journal for a week, listing all the things you have to do. Rate the tasks according to the stress level it brings you. You'll get a good idea by the end of the week where your stress stems from, and can then take steps to manage it better.

3. Just Say No

Granted, some stresses in life you have no control over, such as the death of a loved one. But a lot of things that cause great stress are tied to our schedules, and just how much we have to do in a period of time. Learning to say no to some things is a big first step in coping with stress. Only you can determine how much you can take on, whether it's at work, home or in your community. Write down everything you have to do. If you find the list is just too long, prioritize, remove the things that fall to the bottom of the list, or delegate them to someone else.

4. Allow for the Unexpected

A big stress when you're already spread too thin is constantly running out of time to accomplish your tasks. So once you've pared down that to do list, don't allow time to get away from you. Give yourself a little more time than you really think you'll need to prepare for a meeting, drive to an appointment or do the grocery shopping. That way if you get stuck in traffic, or the line at the store is long and slow, you'll have the time built in so that it won't be a problem. And if you get them done more quickly, you'll have some much needed down time to enjoy.

5. Beware of Burnout

Stress can climb to such high levels that you begin to have apathy toward your job, you're irritable and quick to argue with people, and just feel completely overwhelmed. It's time to put the brakes on and focus on what's truly important. Your health, your family and friends certainly top the list. Leave time in your schedule for exercise, which is a huge stress reliever with health benefits beyond measure. Schedule lunch with a friend during the workday to force yourself to leave the office. Take time to enjoy hobbies. Forcing yourself to do these things will help you to avoid burnout, and make you a healthier and happier person overall.