Stressed?!?

No recent posts... so I thought I'd throw something out there.

Having stress is not necessarily bad, but you need to be aware of your sources of stress and have a way to cope.

1. Take care of yourself:
*Exercise at least three times a week. Exercise can relieve tension and put you in a better mood. The body makes "stress hormones" that help us deal with stressful situations. These stress hormones can lead to health problems if they are allowed to build up. Exercise helps bring stress hormones back to normal levels. *Eat well. Good nutrition can improve your mood and your ability to handle stress. *Get enough rest, but don't stay in bed to avoid problems. You'll just end up with more stress. *Be sure to schedule some "quiet time" for yourself. Use this time to do something you enjoy, such as reading or listening to music, and don't let anything intrude on it.
2. Talk to a friend or family member. Even if you like to deal with your problems alone, don't let yourself become isolated from friends and family.
3. Simplify your life.
4. Learn to recognize situations that are stressful for you. When you get stressed, press the "pause" button. Step back from the situation and take a deep breath. Then use your own personal coping style, along with the tips above, to deal with the situation.