"What Works" - Some Positive Ways to Manage Stress

In response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, THE ADVICE SISTERS offer some positive ways to manage stress, and make life easier, more successful, and more fun: 1. Talk!  Don't hold all your feelings within!  Discuss your stressful feelings with someone you trust who will listen without being judgmental or pressuring you to their own point of view. Even if you can't change the immediate situation, talking about it helps alleviate some of the tension you may be feeling.  Supplement the verbalizing with something physical:  write it out, exercise or hit a pillow.

2. ACT!  Be willing to take risk and make change, no matter how small. Try to change the stressful situation, or at least some part of it. Moving forward in small ways helps you feel empowered and in control. Put one foot in front of the other to move in a positive direction.  Soon, the stress will lessen.

3. RELAX!  If you learn about how your body reacts to stress, you can also learn how to counter that stress.  Learn to listen to your body's signals and find ways to reduce your stress, even if it's just "taking five" to clear your mind.  Relaxation exercises (E.g. Yoga, meditation, physical exercise) help, too.

4. BE IN CHARGE!  Discover what you need to feel good about yourself and get your needs met.  Another way to reduce your stress is to find an interest, hobby or activity where you feel in charge and call the shots.

5. DON'T OVERWHELM YOURSELF:  If you are stressed and overwhelmed, perhaps you are trying to handle too much.  Rid yourself of extra duties that aren't necessary or important. Learn how to delegate and how to say "no" without feeling guilty.  Ask for help if you need it.

6. GET AWAY:  Sometimes a change, however small, can do wonders for your spirit.  Forget it all for a while--escape!  Go somewhere new for a few hours, or a few days if you can afford to.  If not, it may be helpful just to "get away" to a warm bath for a little while!  Visit the WHAT WORKS ARCHIVES to learn about how to create an inexpensive and easy "spa experience" at home.

7. PRIORITIZE:  You may not be able to avoid all the responsibilities obligations you currently have, but you can learn how to complete them without resentment and consciously choose how you will handle them.

8. EXTEND YOURSELF:  Make your own life better by making someone else's life better.  Give of yourself. Volunteer!  You will feel empowered, positive, important...and you will be!

9. MAKE SUCCESS HAPPEN!  If you can't change the world, change yourself!  Learn how to love yourself as you are, while you work towards your goals.  Then, make a commitment to yourself to start improving the things about yourself and your life that (you believe) need it. Instead of immediate, dramatic change, learn to enjoy the journey of lifelong self-improvement.  You are always a work in progress.

10.  SOCIALIZE:  Spend time with family and friends for love and support. Don't be afraid to enjoy yourself!  Appreciate friendship and let others know you care about them, too.  Love may not conquer all, but it's a great start!

11.  LEARN HOW TO BE HAPPY:  One thing all of life's winners have in common is a sense of well-being, a positive attitude and realistic goals.  Focus on the good things about yourself, and in your life.  Nobody's perfect.  Learn to enjoy the "little things" that make you happy.  Count your blessings.  Every day, write down on a slip of paper one thing you are grateful for, even if it's just a sunny day, a friend's phone call,  your cat's happy purr.  Put this "blessing" in a jar along with a dollar or more.  Do this for one month.  At the end of the month read all those slips of paper and you will realize that life is better than you think!  Use the money to do something really special for yourself, or donate it to charity.