Entry-level Stress Management

My guess is that you’re probably pretty good at stress.  Am I right?  I mean, on a scale of 1 to 10, how well can you produce stress in your life?  Just because you’re good at it doesn’t mean you should do it.  Am I clear on that point? Stress overload for a long period of time is a bad thing.

Below is a list of things you can do to get your stress to a functional level.

1. Acknowledge some stress is good – An appropriate burst of energy will enhance your performance at the right moment. Use stress wisely to push yourself that little bit harder when it counts most.
2. Avoid people who cause stress – Learn to identify stress in other people’s behavior.  Just because they are stressed doesn’t mean that you have to be.  Limit your contact with them.
3. Learn from people who have it figured out – Look at people manage their stress well and do what they do.  Look for people who stay calm in crazy times.  What do they do that’s different?  Don’t just figure it out on your own.  Ask them.
4. Breathe – Your body gives a relaxation response when you use deep breathing.  Breathe in slowly (on a five count).  Hold for a five count.  Breathe out on a five count.  Repeat this pattern until you feel your heart rate slowing and you feel yourself getting “normal”.
5. Stop negative thought patterns – Stress often happens because our minds create a worrisome situation for some time out in the future that our body responds to with a fear reaction.  It funny, but usually the very thing we worry about is the thing that does not happen.  Observe your thoughts.  Stop them when you start to create negative images.
6. Know what sets you off – What makes you explode?  What’s the trigger?  Where’s your hot button?  Knowing what causes you to stress is powerful information because you can take action against it and make it less powerful.
7. Take care of yourself PROACTIVELY – Get the proper amount of rest.  Eat well.  Take some exercise.  If you take care of yourself, your body will be able to defend you from stress even before you know it exists.  If you don’t take care of your body, you’re actually adding more stress into the system.

For a really good way to let go of stress fast, click here.