Stress Management Part 4

7. Reframe problems
Try to view stressful situations from a more positive perspective. Rather than fuming about a traffic jam, look at it as an opportunity to pause and regroup, listen to your favorite radio station, or enjoy some alone time.

8. Look at the big picture
Take perspective of the stressful situation. Ask yourself how important it will be in the long run. Will it matter in a month? A year? Is it really worth getting upset over? If the answer is no, focus your time and energy elsewhere.

9. Adjust your standards
Perfectionism is a major source of avoidable stress. Stop setting yourself up for failure by demanding perfection. Set reasonable standards for yourself and others, and learn to be okay with “good enough”

10. Focus on the positive
When stress is getting you down, take a moment to reflect on all the things you appreciate in your life, including your own positive qualities and gifts. This simple strategy can help you keep things in perspective

11. Massage

12. Exercise regularly
Physical activity plays a key role in reducing and preventing the effects of stress

13. Eat a healthy diet
Start your day right with breakfast, and keep your energy up and your mind clear with balanced, nutritious meals throughout the day

14. Reduce caffeine and sugar
The temporary "highs" caffeine and sugar provide often end in with a crash in mood and energy. You’ll feel more relaxed and you’ll sleep better.

15. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs

16. Get enough sleep
Adequate sleep fuels your mind, as well as your body. Feeling tired will increase your stress because it may cause you to think irrationally.

17. Meditation
Small studies have suggested that regular meditation can benefit the heart and help reduce blood pressure. New practitioners should understand that it can be difficult to quiet the mind, and should not be discouraged by lack of immediate results.