Stress is an unavoidable factor of life. Feeling overwhelmed by a job, personal demands or illness leads to physical stress. Loss of employment, death of a loved one or a traumatic experience causes emotional stress. The success to coping with stress begins with knowing your personal tolerance level for dealing with stressful situations. It culminates with learning to accept or change stressful situations when possible.
Change What You Can
“…the courage to change the things I can…” Look at what is causing you to feel stressed. Is it job-related or too many demands placed upon you? Learn to take on one task at a time. Make a list, prioritize and complete one urgent task. Then move on to the next task. Be realistic. If you feel overwhelmed, learn to say no. No one is perfect, so do not expect perfection from yourself.
Accept What You Cannot Change
“…the serenity to accept the things I cannot change...” Aim for a healthy acceptance of that which cannot be changed such as the loss of a loved one or the diagnosis of cancer. Embrace the stress factor and overpower it. If you allow the stress factor to embrace you, it will overpower you.
Visualize Strategies
Use your imagination to visualize strategies for coping with a stressful situation, either at work or within your family network. Mentally play out scenarios in advance of how you might manage a stressful situation most effectively.
Take Good Care of Yourself
Adapt a healthy lifestyle that includes a well balance diet of nutritious foods. Get plenty of sleep each day. Limit caffeine and alcohol intake. Strive for a balance between work and recreation. Indulge in a hobby or activity that brings you pleasure.
Meditate
When faced with a stressful situation, step away and allow yourself a few minutes of quiet reflection. Meditating for even five to ten minutes provides a quick sense of calm. Incorporating meditation into your daily life makes your mind calm and peaceful. With a peaceful mind, a person is better able to deal with stressful circumstances.
Share Your Feelings
Do not try to cope with stress alone. Share how you are feeling with someone you trust. Seek guidance and support from family members and friends. Focus on what you are feeling, such as “I am feeling angry because …” Avoid focusing on someone's behavior, such as “You make me angry because…”
Exercise
Physical exercise such as a vigorous jog, a brisk walk or a game of squash is a great stress buster. Devoting 30 minutes each day for physical activity is beneficial for your mind and body. Use your lunch break as an opportunity for a healthy walk. Or get in the habit of a daily walk after dinner.
Have a Sense of Humor
Work to develop a healthy sense of humor. Try to use humor to lighten a tense moment. Smile - it can make you feel happy and relaxed. According to Robert Cooper, PhD., and author of the book, “The Power of 5”, smiling sends nerve impulses from the facial muscles to the emotional center in the brain. This tilts the balance toward calm.
Exercise Flexibility and Compromise
Arguing only increases the level of stress in a tense situations. Be decisive in decision making even if it turns out you were wrong. At least you took control of the situation. Be flexible and willing to compromise if necessary. Again, you take control of the situation.
Learn to Love People Not Things
Love people more than things. Spend more time enjoying the people in your life. Cherish each day and live it as if it were your last. Do not wait to tell someone that you love him or that you are sorry for something which you said or did - do it today.