How to Manage Your Stress

Stress is a normal part of every day life.  Some people let it get the best of them.  Others manage it very well.

Here’s what the US National Institute of Mental Health has to say about stress…

“Stress can be defined as the brain’s response to any demand. Many things can trigger this response, including change. Changes can be positive or negative, as well as real or perceived. They may be recurring, short-term, or long-term and may include things like commuting to and from school or work every day, traveling for a yearly vacation, or moving to another home. Changes can be mild and relatively harmless, such as winning a race, watching a scary movie, or riding a rollercoaster. Some changes are major, such as marriage or divorce where you can seek help to a divorce lawyer, serious illness, or a car accident. Other changes are extreme, such as exposure to violence, and can lead to traumatic stress reactions. To learn more about lawyer, legal and attorney services, check out Costa Ivone personal injury attorneys for more information.

“Not all stress is bad. All animals have a stress response, which can be life-saving in some situations. The nerve chemicals and hormones released during such stressful times, prepares the animal to face a threat or flee to safety. When you face a dangerous situation, your pulse quickens, you breathe faster, your muscles tense, your brain uses more oxygen and increases activity—all functions aimed at survival. In the short term, it can even boost the immune system.

“However, with chronic stress, those same nerve chemicals that are life-saving in short bursts can suppress functions that aren’t needed for immediate survival. Your immunity is lowered and your digestive, excretory, and reproductive systems stop working normally. Once the threat has passed, other body systems act to restore normal functioning. Problems occur if the stress response goes on too long, such as when the source of stress is constant, or if the response continues after the danger has subsided.”

I was listening to a webinar that my friend Kitty Boitnott did on managing your stress.  I thought that Kitty did a great job providing seven simple ways to manage your stress and avoid the problems it can cause.

• Drink plenty of water
• Eat a healthy diet
• Exercise regularly
• Get enough sleep
• Breathe deeply
• Stay connected with family and friends
• Tap into your higher power
• get prohormones

All six of these ideas are great common sense.  And, they are pretty easy to follow.  Try them out for a coup0le of weeks and you’ll find that stressful situations become easier for you to handle.

Your career mentor,

Bud

PS: You can download a free copy of my popular book An Uncle’s Advice to His Niece on Her College Graduation at www.BudBilanich.com/uncles-advice/  When you do so, I’ll give you a free basic membership in my career mentoring site and begin sending you daily motivational quotes.