Stress Management

What is stress?

• It's the body's response to a situation that's new, unpleasant, or threatening
• Too much stress or stress that lasts too long can cause or worsen health problems
• These problems include high blood pressure, fatigue, chronic pain, diabetes, anxiety, and depression

 What cause stress?

• Finances
• Family
• Work
• Daily Life

What are some signs of stress?

• Physical signs: Faster heartbeat and breathing, muscle tension, headache, and fatigue
• Emotional signs: Anxiety, anger, irritability, and depression
• Behavioral signs: Quick temper, concentration problems, isolation from others

How can you prevent stress?

•  Accept what you cannot change
• Focus on what you can change
• Be positive
• Find some pain relief - massage, stretching, etc.
• Time management (get up on time, set priorities, plan ahead, take breaks, break big jobs into small chunks, get help, say no sometimes)
• Create a healthy eating pattern
• Get enough physical activity
• Get enough sleep (7-9 hours per night)
• Limit alcohol
• Cut back on caffeine
• Get help to quit smoking
• Exercise (activities you enjoy, aerobic exercise, calming exercise)

Other tricks for relaxing:

•  Enjoy yourself
• Stay organized
• Keep anger under control
• Share your feelings
• Write about stress (keep a journal, etc.)