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Sunday 1 November 2015

What can I do to manage stress?

Acts to manage stress:
Explore stress management strategies, such as:
Massage is almost a form of enforced physical relaxation. Physical relaxation in turn almost always leads to mental relaxation and therefore, to stress reduction.
Yoga is a popular physical discipline that not only is an effective method of toning your body physically, but requires a certain mental discipline and focus that effectively simplifies life, even if only for short period. A yoga session several days a week can be helpful.
Meditation is another form of bringing the mind to focus on one’s essential being which will, as with yoga, make life simpler. It’s the change in perspective that creates the reduction in stress. It is also a lifestyle choice that needs repetition in order to be most effective.
Exercise can be a great stress reducer, Engaged in physical activity sufficiently strident so as to result in the release of endorphins. It will change one’s outlook, and the day, will seem far less tense.
Breathing is a commonly used relaxation technique, and it’s the main focus of meditation and mindfulness. And, since one already knows how to breathe, it’s an easy and efficient way to manage stress.
Assertiveness is the ability to express one’s feelings and assert one’s rights while respecting the feelings and rights of others. Assertive communication is appropriately direct, open and honest, and clarifies one’s needs to the other person. Assertiveness comes naturally to some, but is a skill that can be learned. People who have mastered the skill of assertiveness are able to greatly reduce the level of interpersonal conflict in their lives, thereby reducing a major source of stress.
Sometimes people confuse aggressiveness with assertiveness, as both types of behaviour involve standing up for one’s rights and expressing one’s needs. The key difference between the two is that assertive individuals express themselves while respecting the other person. They assume the best about people, respect themselves, and think “win-win” and try to compromise. In contrast, individuals behaving aggressively will tend to employ tactics that are disrespectful, manipulative, demeaning, or abusive. They make negative assumptions about the motives of others and think in retaliatory terms, or they don’t think of the other person’s point of view at all. They win at the expense of others, and create unnecessary conflict. Assertiveness affects many areas of life. Assertive people tend to have fewer conflicts in their dealings with others, which translates into much less stress in their lives. They get their needs met (which also means less stressing over unmet needs), and help others get their needs met, too. Having stronger, more supportive relationships virtually guarantees that, in a bind, they have people they can count on, which also helps with stress management, and even leads to a healthier body. 

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