Stress Management

Stress is a normal part of life. In small quantities, stress is good; it can motivate you and help you become more productive. However, too much stress, or a strong response to stress can be harmful. Stress can come from any situation or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or anxious. Everyone sees situations differently and has different coping skills. For this reason, no two people will respond exactly the same way to a given situation.

Managing stress is all about taking charge: taking charge of your thoughts, your emotions, your schedule, your environment, and the way you deal with problems. The ultimate goal is a balanced life, with time for work, relationships, relaxation, and fun – plus the resilience to hold up under pressure and meet challenges head on. Stress management starts with identifying the sources of stress in your life. It offers a range of strategies to help you better deal with stress and difficulty (adversity) in your life.

Once you know your potential stressors, you can either (a) change the situation – by avoiding or altering the situation or (b) change your reaction – by accepting or adapting to the stressors. Managing stress can help you lead a more balanced, healthier life. The approaches towards Stress Management includes:

• Keeping a positive attitude.
• Accepting that there are events that cannot be controlled.
• Being assertive instead of aggressive. Assert your feelings, opinions, or beliefs instead of becoming angry, defensive, or passive.
• Learning to manage your time more effectively.
• Set limits appropriately and say no to requests that would create excessive stress in your life.
• Making time for hobbies and interests.
• Don’t rely on alcohol, drugs, or compulsive behaviours to reduce stress. Drugs and alcohol can stress your body even more.
• Seeking out social support. Spending enough time with those you love.
• Seeking treatment with a psychologist or other mental health professional trained in stress management.