Coping With Stress

The following tips will help you or your teen to cope more effectively with stress.  Are these a part of your everyday lifestyles now? If not, try to make time for them every day.

• EXERCISE REGULARLY. Do some vigorous activity (i.e. swimming, bicycling, walking) for 20-40 minutes 3 to 5 times per week.
• GET THE SLEEP YOU NEED. A warm bath, a cup of warm milk, quiet music or reading may help you get to sleep.
• TALK OVER YOUR CONCERNS with a family member or a friend you trust.
• LIMIT SMOKING AND CAFFEINE. Caffeine stimulates a stress-like response. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, cola and chocolate. If you smoke, seriously consider stopping.
• EAT REGULAR MEALS with a variety of NUTRITIOUS FOODS from all four food groups to give you energy and vitality.
• EAT A GOOD BREAKFAST to improve concentration, memory and energy.
• TAKE A BREAK. Go for a walk, do a few stretching exercises, or listen to relaxing music for a few moments and then return more refreshed to what you are doing.
• DETERMINE YOUR PRIORITIES. If the problem is important, confront it directly – you’ll feel better if you do something.
• PRACTISE POSITIVE SELF TALK. If your messages to yourself are negative…"I can’t…," turn them into positive and powerful statements to yourself…"I can do it," "I am confident," etc.
• MASTER ONE OR TWO RELAXATION TECHNIQUES and practice these regularly. Choose from slow deep breathing, progressive muscular relaxation, autogenics, visualization, stretching, etc.