8 Life Management Tips to Minimize Stress
In trying to empower the children at our girls-only camps and boys-only camps, we help them maximize their personal development. Especially for those of us who prefer summer sunny blue sky days to those of sometimes cloudy winter, it can also be helpful to manage stress during challenging times. A recent article by Diana Rodriguez, medically reviewed by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD, delineates 8 good tips to help minimize stress. Please see below for highlights and this link for the complete article.
Managing Stress: When You Experience a Sudden Spike
- Put it in perspective. Try to take a step back and ask yourself: will this issue still matter in a year? In five years? If the answer is no, take a deep breath and try to move forward.
- Come up with a plan. If there’s a specific problem you need to fix, make a list of all possible solutions and pick the best one for your situation.
- Accept what you can’t control. Some circumstances are simply beyond our control, and we have to learn to cope with and accept them.
Managing Stress: When It’s at a Slow, Steady Boil
- Give yourself a break. Treat yourself to at least one relaxing activity every day. Taking time for yourself is important for both preventing and managing stress.
- Get regular exercise.
- Express your feelings. If something’s bothering you, don’t keep it to yourself. Talk to people you trust, like friends, family, or co-workers, about what’s on your mind.
Managing Stress: Keeping Stressful Situations to a Minimum
- Set reasonable expectations. Being busy is sometimes inevitable, but regularly taking on more than you can manage can cause unwanted and unwelcome stress.
- Resolve issues before they become crises. Problems are always easier to handle before they develop into full-blown calamities.