HEALTH WAYS OF MANAGING STRESS

Stress is simply a fact of nature forces from the inside or outside world affecting the individual. It can be also refer to the anything that poses a threat or a challenge to our well being. Some other authors refers it as, "a person's response to a stressor such as an environmental condition or stimulus."

Stress can be caused by different factors, those factors can be grouped in to two categories, i.e. external factors and internal factors. External factors includes the physical environment such as your job, your relationships with others, your home, and all other challenges and difficulties you face. Internal factors which normally determine your ability to manage stress includes overall health, fitness level, and emotions well being.

Stress management normally begins with identification of the sources of stress in your life. This is not as easy as it sounds.To identify your true sources of stress look closely at your habits, attitudes, and excuses. Look at how you currently cope with stress, think about the ways you currently manage and cope with stress in your life. The followings are the healthy ways your can apply to manage your stress in your day-to-day life:-

1. Learn how to say "no" - know your limits and stick to them. Whether in your personal or professional life, refuse to accept added responsibilities. Taking on more than you can handle is a sure source of your stress.
2. Avoid people who stress you out - if someone consistently causes stress in your life and you can't turn the relationship around, limit the amount of time you spend with that person or end the entire relationship.
3. Note down your to-do-lists - analyze your schedule, responsibilities, and daily tasks. If you've got too much on your plate, distinguish between the "should" and "must". Prop tasks that aren't truly necessary to the bottom of the list or eliminate them entirely.
4. Express your feelings - if something or someone is bothering you, communicate your concerns in an open and respectful way. If you don't voice your feelings, resentment will build and the situation will likely remain the same.
5. Manage your time better - poor time management can cause a lot of stress. When you're stretched too thin and running behind, it's hard to say calm and focused. But if you plan ahead and make sure you don't over extend yourself, you can alter the amount of stress you're under.
6. Focus on the positive - when stress is getting you down, take a moment to reflect on all the thing you appreciate in your life, including your own positive qualities and gifts. This simple strategy can help you keep things in perspective.
7. Re-frame your problems - try to view stressful situations from a more positive perspective. Rather than fuming on traffic jam, look at it as an opportunity to pause and regroup, listen to your favorite radio station, or enjoy some alone time.