Healthy Ways to Deal with Stress

A National Health Interview Survey revealed seventy-five percent of the general population experiences at least "some stress" every two. According to the American Psychological Association, fifty-four percent of Americans are concerned about the level of stress in their everyday lives. Why should we be concerned about our stress level? Too much stress, too often can cause or contribute to:

*Memory problems.
*Difficulty making decisions.
*Inability to concentrate.
*Seeing only the negative.
*Exercising poor judgment.
*Moodiness and hypersensitiveness
*Restlessness and anxiety.
*Depression.
*Anger and resentment.
*Feeling overwhelmed.
*Headaches.
*Digestive problems.
*Muscle tension and pain.
*Sleep disturbances.
*Fatigue.
*Chest pain, irregular heartbeat.
*High blood pressure.
*Asthma or shortness of breath.
*Overreacting to unexpected problems. How can we eliminate or at least reduce stress in our lives?

Cheer up! Stress less! Develop a sense of humor about the inconveniences in your life. It's hard to be stressed when you're laughing. Next time you're standing in a long line at the grocery store check out, strike up a conversation with the person behind you. Chances are they're just as stressed as you are and will probably appreciate the distraction. I always start a conversation by jokingly apologizing that they're in the same line I'm in - because I always pick the worse line.

Keep CD's of uplifting music or comedy routines in your car for those times you're stuck in traffic. The commute to and from work can be one of the most stressful aspects of our day. Another great way to relieve stress is to check out some "books on CD" from the public library and listen to a mystery novel or biography of an interesting person to keep your mind off the long delay while sitting in traffic.

Cut down on the clutter in your life. Reduce stress by learning to live with less. Get rid of anything that's "in the way" or unnecessary. You'll have less to keep track of, less to clean, and less to stress about.

Spend time outside. Don't spend your lunch hour stressed out and sitting at your desk at work. Reduce stress by taking a break. Get outside. Walk around the block, or even just around the outside of the building. Fresh air will relieve stress, clear your head and re-energize you for the rest of your day. If you're stressed out at home with the kids, have a picnic in the back yard or sit on the porch and read books together.

Rest when you're tired. If you're tired, chances are your stress level will be elevated. A 20-minute cat-nap does wonders for your mood and energy level. It's okay to go to bed early sometimes and skip the church meeting, social event, or club meeting.

Live within your means. Don't overextend yourself financially. Money issues can cause tremendous stress in our lives. High credit card balances and a huge mortgage lock you into years of excess financial burden. A large debt load can cause you to feel trapped and hopeless. Get financial planning advice to help you formulate a workable plan for debt reductionand stress reduction.

Volunteer. When we focus on others, we're less likely to be stressed about our own lives. Nursing homes and convalescent centers are thrilled to have help with distributing mail, assisting residents at meals, pushing wheelchairs to and from the dining hall, or simply visiting with the men and women in their rooms. Public schools are often in need of assistance - you can even join the PTA if you don't have a child attending school in a locality. Your local food pantry will certainly have plenty for you to do, as well.

Join a club or take a class. Mall walkers meet in shopping malls all over the country to walk a circuit around the mall together. Exercise has been shown to reduce stress. Take up bowling or traveling or join a book club. Many churches offer bible studies and public libraries host educational or informational programs. Many localities offer special interest classes in the evenings at a nominal fee. Community colleges have relatively inexpensive tuition, and sometimes you pay even less to audit a class. Being around others with similar interests is a great way to relieve stress and enjoy yourself.

Keep your priorities in order. Don't stress the small stuff. Expend your time and energy on the things that are important to you: your family, yourself, the things you love to do. Everything else will fall into place when you keep your perspective and focus on the positive things in your life.