WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS

 Learn to relax: Your goal is to lower your heart rate and blood pressure while reducing muscle tension.

 Discuss your concerns: Talking helps to relieve strains and put things in perspective, and it may lead to a healthy plan of action.

 Plan your work in a step by step manner. Accomplish small tasks.

 Deal with your anger: Count to 10, compose yourself and respond to the anger in a more effective manner.

 Get away: A change of pace can help develop a new outlook.

 Be realistic: Set realistic goals. Prioritize. Concentrate on what is important. Unrealistically high goals invites failure.

 Avoid self-medication: At times we may seek to use medication or alcohol for a feeling of relief. Such substance only mask the problem.

 Get plenty of sleep, exercise and nutritious food. A healthy body promotes good mental health. Sleep helps us tackle problems in a refreshed state. Exercise helps burn off the excess energy that stress can produce.

 Seek help: Contact your physician or a mental health professional if stress is building or you’re not functioning well.

– Mayo Clinic Guide to self-care