How to manage stress
11/01/2021
Stress refers to your body's reaction to challenges and demands. Stress can be positive or negative and there are healthy ways to deal with it. Here are a few ways you can manage your stress:
- Manage your time. Making a day-to-day schedule helps ensure you don't feel overwhelmed by everyday tasks and deadlines.
- Practice relaxation. Deep breathing, meditation are good ways to calm yourself.
- Exercise daily. Schedule time to walk outside, bike or join a dance class. Whatever you do, make sure it's fun.
- Eat well. Eating unprocessed foods, like whole grains, vegetables, and fresh fruit is the foundation for a healthy body and mind.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs. Alcohol and drugs don’t reduce stress: in fact, they often worsen it.
- Talk to someone. Whether to friends, family, a counselor or a support group, airing out and talking can help.
Getting Help
If the steps you've taken aren't working, it may be time to get help from a mental health professional. Ask your primary physician to refer you to the behavioral health team.