by Bryan Golden

Each day you are exposed to stress inducing events and people.  There are both minor and major situations you have to deal with.  What causes stress is very different for every person. You can’t judge how you should react to stress by looking at how others handle it.

Regardless of the source of stress, there are techniques for reducing your stress level.  All of the following are simple and easy to implement.  To be effective, they must be consistently applied.

Stress won’t go away by ignoring it.  Its effects are cumulative.  Low level stress can actually be more insidious than major stress. You adjust to low level stress and accept it as normal.  This raises your stress threshold but doesn’t mitigate the negative effects.

One of the root causes of stress is our fast paced lifestyle. It’s a real challenge to find some quiet time to relax and recharge.  Give yourself a break.  It’s OK to turn off your cell phone, TV and computer.  Go ahead and have some fun instead.

Eating properly is important. Food is the fuel that keeps your mind and body functioning.  If you run out of energy, you are much more susceptible to stress.  It’s not only necessary to consume the right foods but also to eat at appropriate times.  When pressed for time, the first activity to go by the wayside is eating.  Skipping meals, using junk food as a meal substitute, and eating while on the run, all have deleterious effects.
A certain amount of stress can’t be avoided.  Exercise provides a healthy stress release.  Regular physical activity is the key.  At least three or four times a week is ideal.  You don’t have to join a health club or use a personal trainer.

Identify those circumstances you find stressing.  Before you encounter them, mentally rehearse not getting stressed out.  Then, when they do occur, your reaction will be much more relaxed.  The more you practice not letting stress get the best of you, the less it will happen.

Maintain a sense of humor.  Laughter is a great stress reducer.  Virtually all situations contain a humorous component.  Whenever you make a joke it helps you cope.  Being too serious all the time encourages burnout.

Count to ten.  You heard this when you were a kid.  It still works.  When you feel stressed, count to ten before reacting.  This technique will prevent you from flying off the handle and making circumstances worse.

Get enough sleep.  When you are tired, you are more prone to stress.  Proper rest is just as import as a good diet.  Both are essential for the proper functioning of your mind and body.  When you are fatigued, your capability for sound reasoning is diminished.  Additionally, you will tend to blow things out of proportion.  Children get cranky when they are tired, adults get stressed.

These are some simple steps you can take to reduce your stress.  They only work if you apply them.  Be proactive.  Stress doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

NOW AVAILABLE: “Dare to Live Without Limits,” the book.  Visit www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E-mail Bryan at bryan@columnist.com.

© Bryan Golden.

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