How to Prevent Stress

An effective way to deal with stress is to prevent it altogether. People under stress will often avoid making decisions (for fear of making the wrong one) and procrastinate as a way of avoiding doing something that might be anxious. Below are a few simple ideas to help avoid stress. Decision Making On a piece of paper and in reference to the decision you want to make, (a) list your options, (b) record the pros of each option, (c) record the cons of each option. You can also rate each pro and con on a scale of 1 to 10, giving the appropriate weighting for each. Stop Procrastination, Just Do It Putting things off may actually create undue stress. By putting things off, you actually make them "bigger", and subsequently harder to avoid. Dealing with things directly will often reduce your level of stress considerably. Also, use a day planner to schedule enough leisure time. Doing this type of planning helps balance work and play. This will help you enjoy your playtime as well as your work time. You won't resent working knowing leisure time is scheduled and coming up soon. Delegate People who haven't learned to delegate often feel needlessly stressed. Some are poor delegators because of too little or too much ego. Delegating isn't a matter of dictating to others; it's asking others to assist you by doing tasks they can handle. This gives you more time to do those tasks that perhaps only you can do. Tips for Dealing With Stress and Tension Stress and Tension are normal reactions to events that threaten us. Such threats can come from accidents, financial troubles and problems on the job or with family. The way we deal with these pressures has a lot to do with our mental, emotional and physical health. The following are suggestions to get you started on managing the stress in your life. Resources to help you in each of the following areas are identified in this booklet. 1. Recognize your symptoms of stressrn rn2. Look at your lifestyle and see what can be changed -- in your work situation, your family situation, or your schedulern rn3. Use relaxation techniques - yoga, meditation, deep breathing, or massagern rn4. Exercise - Physical activity is one of the most effective stress remedies around! rn5. Time management - Do essential tasks and prioritize the others. Consider those who may be affected by your decisions, such as family and friends. Use a check list so you will receive satisfaction as you check off each job as it is donern rn6. Watch your diet - Alcohol, caffeine, sugar, fats and tobacco all put a strain on your body's ability to cope with stress. A diet with a balance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and foods high in protein but low in fat will help create optimum health. Contact your local branch of the Heart and Stroke Foundation for further information about healthy eatingrn rn7. Get enough rest and sleeprn rn8. Talk with others - Talk with friends, professional counsellors, support groups or relatives about what is bothering yourn rn9. Help others - Volunteer work can be an effective and satisfying stress reducerrn rn10. Get away for awhile - Read a book, watch a movie, play a game, listen to music or go on vacation. Leave yourself some time that's just for yourn rn11. Work off your anger - Get physically active, dig in the garden, start a project, get your spring cleaning donern rn12. Give in occasionally - Avoid quarrels whenever possiblern rn13. Tackle one thing at a time - Don't try to do too much at once. rn14. Don't try to be perfectrn rn15. Ease up on criticism of othersrn rn16. Don't be too competitivern rn17. Make the first move to be friendlyrn rn18. Have some fun!! Laugh and be with people you enjoy!