Really Helpful Ideas for Handling Stress

Everyone is experiencing an increase in their stress levels these days. For some people this increase is significant and can affect their health and relationships. The standard suggestions to get more rest, eat right, be with friends and slow down just don't seem to be much help when you've lost your job, can't pay your bills and you face losing your home. Substance and alcohol abuse is on the rise; interpersonal conflict is become more frequent and dangerous; child abuse has increased. It's time for some "get real" responses to stress.

Stay in the moment - Most people spent a lot of energy worrying about what is going to happen. This makes it impossible to think rationally and find solutions. You may have a week or a month or more until the actual crisis is at hand. Put on blinders and stay in the present.

Get a pad and pen - You are going to begin to come up with possible solutions and if you don't write them down you are going to forget them. Take the pad with you everywhere. You never know when an idea will come to you.

Don't be embarrassed to speak to people - Getting feedback from others will supply you with ideas you never thought of yourself. Write it down even if it doesn't seem good. There may come a time when a "not so good" idea suddenly has value.

Think "outside of the box"- You may be getting advice to leave your field of expertise and go into something else. And that may be another good idea to write down. But don't abandon ship just yet. Another way of thinking is to explore other ways or other industries that can use you skills. It may seem like a great idea to become a consultant but that takes time. You need a more immediate solution.

Play with your computer - put in key words, do searches for companies you may be interested in joining. Don't wait to see a job opening. If you want to work for a company send them a letter telling them how great you are and expressing a desire to work for them. You never know what you will catch when you go fishing.

Prioritize your list - As you come up with possible solutions some will be things to act on now and some may be for the future. They are all worth exploring. But do the ones that will bring the fastest results while working on making those dreams come true in the coming months or years. Now is not the time for the dreamer in you to take over.

Don't waste time - If you find yourself with time on your hands do something. Sell your stuff on Ebay. If you don't know how find a place that will do it for you. Volunteer - you never know who you will meet or what it may lead to. People who feel they are being proactive have a greater sense of having control over their lives. People who do nothing feel lost and afraid.

Assess the best and the worst that can happen - Preparing for the worst makes it easier to deal with if it actually happens. Hope for the best always. A positive attitude will help you heart and blood pressure. If you really are getting physically ill from the stress and anxiety got to the doctor. Being stoic is going to make your medical situation worse. Antidepressants work and are not addictive. You can stop taking them when the crisis passes. Anti-anxiety medication can be addictive but not if it's taken as prescribed. If you have a history of drug or alcohol addiction, tell your doctor. He will stick with the antidepressants. You can't help your self find solutions if you are so depressed that you can't think. It's a time limited solution to a time limited problem. But it really helps.

Don't abuse your spouse and kids - You need each other now. You are both in the same boat. Screaming at each other solves nothing. Try not to say things you don't mean. You can never take back something you've already said. After Katrina most people who had lost everything were just glad they still had their families. They are getting back on their feet and so will you.