Everyday Care

Stress can hit you from every angle during your day. Here are some every day ways to cope with it.

Exercise. Exercise is a natural stress reliever. It gives you the chance to problem-solve and get your blood pumping. So, get moving. Take a walk around the block. Do some sort of physical activity most days of the week for 30 minutes. Exercise also boosts your immunity, makes your heart stronger, relaxes your muscles and can help ward off diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Plus, exercise releases endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain. These endorphins are your body's way of relieving stress.

Meditate. Even if it is just for a few minutes, meditation can do wonders. You don't have to take classes to be able to meditate. Practice slow breaths coming from your diaphragm.

Relax. While it's true you need to exercise, you also need to unwind from your day. Curl up with a good book, make a meal from scratch, read with your child or listen to a favorite song.

Talk. Stress can be overwhelming if you bottle it up. Open up and talk about your friends and family. If you don't think you can talk to your family or a friend, talk to someone else. This could be a therapist, a family doctor or primary care physician, a church leader or a co-worker.

Count to 10. Just the simple act of counting can help you relax.

Accept. You have situations you can control and situations you can't. Your job is to identify which is which. Can anyone help you deal with your workload while you write that report your boss wants by five? Can another parent pick up your son from soccer? Doing something constructive or working out a solution helps you deal with the stress.

Visualize. Picture how you can manage a stressful situation more successfully. Imagine yourself sitting down for that job interview or moving into a new house. Visualization can boost self-confidence and enable you to be more positive in the face of a tough task.

Good nutrition. Don't skip meals or eat poorly. You need a steady source of good quality energy throughout the day. Reduce or eliminate caffeine consumption. Caffeine is a stimulant and can worsen your stress level. It can also affect your sleep quality.

Sleep. Go to bed on time and get enough sleep so you can feel refreshed in the morning. If your worries are keeping you awake, get out of bed and go into another room to do a relaxing activity, such as deep breathing or reading, until you feel tired.

Prioritize. Take stock of your day and see what is a priority and what can be put off for another time. Learn to say no.

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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.