9 Best Ways You Can Deal with Stress Once and For AlI

Untreated stress can lead to a host of problems, including physical illness such as ulcers, heart disease,and high blood pressure. 

People exposed to stress over long periods are also prone to develop depression, feelings of hopelessness and inferiority, loss of sexual interest, memory problems — the list is virtually endless.

Each of us, at some time, encounters a period of high stress as a result of some change in our lives. Whether caused by a job change, a loss of someone close, a new relationship or even a financial setback, the stress can feel overwhelming. 

To cope with the changes that confront us and to adapt in a positive manner, it is helpful to: Secure adequate information (get to know as much about a situation as possible so as not to misjudge); 

Maintain a positive self-image (don't demean or blame yourself); Maintain autonomy (in other words, stand on your own two feet—it's up to you to make the final   choice).

Here are the 9 best ways ever to deal with stress once and for all and thereby decrease your risk of developing other complaints.

1. Identify and address the problem producing the stress. Often those who are under stress first attempt to relieve the stress by attacking the symptoms: taking medication, getting more sleep or changing eating habits. Although sometimes helpful in the short term, these methods can actually prolong the stress by leaving the underlying cause untreated. Instead, take time to identify the stressful situation, which may be some aspect of your job, your relationships with others or another similar

2. Circumstance. Once you have determined the source of your stress, you can take control and address the problem. For instance, if your work situation is causing you stress you may decide to discuss possible solutions with your boss. By taking charge, you reduce the feelings of helplessness and being "out of control" and take an important step in relieving the source of your stress.

3. Learn to relax. What if you've identified what you believe is the source of your stress and yet decide that it's impossible to change? Then you can take steps to reduce the effects such situations have on you by learning to relax. One of the easiest ways to learn to relax is to deliberately try to make yourself tense and then relax specific body areas slowly, one by one.

5. Exercise. Not only does exercise make you feel better by doing something positive for you, but recent studies indicate that such activity can help your body release its own natural opiates, called endorphins.

6. Devote time to hobbies and outside Interests. Immersing yourself in hobbies and other outside interests can often reduce the intensity of the stress by taking your mind off the stressful situation. Worrying only increases your stressful feelings.

7. Talk to someone. Talking about your problems often helps to put things into perspective. In this way, you may realize solutions you never thought of or at least gain a better understanding of whatever is bothering you. Often simply airing your feelings to someone else brings immediate relief.

8. Laugh. Amazingly enough, a good belly laugh can sometimes relieve tension and indicate that you've come to terms with the problems that are causing the stress. If you can laugh at the situation, you are that much closer to being ready to do something about it.

9. Concentrate on having fun. A survey conducted by Dr. Martin Snyder at the United States International University indicates that engaging in pleasurable activities may actually reduce symptoms of stress. 

The survey suggests that in order to combat the effects of stressful living, one should participate in more social events and, simply, have more fun. Exposed to the same degree of stress, those people who enjoy themselves more report fewer symptoms associated with stress than do those without pleasurable activities. 

So if you can't beat the stressful situation, at least alleviate its effect on you by going out and having a good time.


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