Dealing with Stress

Posted: Dec. 1, 2004

Stress can sometimes make you feel like a tight rubber band — stretched to the limit. If this happens, take a few deep breaths to help yourself unwind. Finding time to relax after (and sometimes during) a hectic day or week can make all the difference. Here are some more stress busters:

1) Put your body in motion.
Physical activity is one of the most important ways to keep stress away by clearing your head and lifting your spirits. Physical activity also increases endorphin levels – the natural "feel-good" chemicals in the body that leave you with a naturally happy feeling.

2) Fuel up.
Eating regular meals (this means no skipping dinner) and taking time to enjoy them will make you feel better too.

Make sure to fuel up with fruits, vegetables, proteins (peanut butter, a chicken sandwich, or a tuna salad) and grains (wheat bread, pasta, or some crackers) – these will give you the power you need to make it through those hectic days.

Don't be fooled by the jolt of energy you get from sodas and sugary snacks – this only lasts a short time, and once it wears off, you may feel sluggish and more tired than usual.

3) LOL (Laugh out loud)!
Everyone has those days when they do something really silly or stupid – instead of getting upset with yourself, laugh out loud! No one's perfect!

Lots of laughing can make you feel good – and that good feeling can stay with you even after the laughter stops. So, head off stress with regular doses of laughter by watching a funny movie or TV show, or reading a hilarious book.

4) Have fun with friends.
Being with people you like is always a good way to ditch your stress. Friends can help you work through your problems and let you see the brighter side of things.

5) Talk to someone you trust.
Instead of keeping your feelings bottled up inside, talk to someone you trust or respect about what's bothering you. Talking out your problems and seeing them from a different view might help you figure out ways to deal with them.

6) Take time to relax.
Pick a comfy spot to sit and read, daydream, or even take a snooze. Listen to your favorite music. Work on a relaxing project like putting together a puzzle or making jewelry.

7) Catch some zzz’s ...
Fatigue is a best friend to stress. When you don't get enough sleep, it's hard to deal with your life – you may feel tired, cranky, or you may have trouble thinking clearly. When you're overtired, a problem may seem much bigger than it actually is.

8) Keep a journal.
If you're having one of those crazy days when nothing goes right, it's a good idea to write things down in a journal to get it off of your chest – like how you feel, what's going on in your life, and things you'd like to accomplish.

9) Get it together with pre-planning.
Too much to do but not enough time? Feeling overwhelmed or forgetful? Being unprepared can make for a very stressful day. Getting everything done can be a challenge, but all you have to do is plan a little and get organized.

10) Lend a hand.
Get involved in an activity that helps others. It's almost impossible to feel stressed out when you're helping someone else. Signing up for a service project is a good idea, but helping others is as easy as saying hello, holding a door, or volunteering to help a neighbor.

11) Learn ways to better deal with anger.
It is totally normal to be angry sometimes – everyone gets mad at some point. The important thing is to deal with your anger in a healthy way. It will help to cool down first and then focus on positive solutions to problems. This will help you to communicate better with the people in your life.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health

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