How well do you manage stress in your life? Here are some tips to help you deal with stress in a healthy and effective way:
- Effective time management, planning and organisation
- Relax – have breaks during the day, especially at work
- Accept your circumstances and do not compare yourself to another individual – you are unique
- Exercise - the Heart and Stroke Foundation SA recommends that an adult exercise at least 5 times a week for 30 minutes
- Reduce excess weight – follow a healthy well balanced eating plan
- Drink lots of water
- Develop a positive outlook – confess positive affirmations
- Set boundaries in your life
- Develop routine and structure
- Sleep for at least 6 hours
- Avoid addictions i.e. TV, drug, alcohol, etc.
- Try aromatherapy or massages
- Have realistic goals
- Don’t be a people pleaser – learn to say NO
- Recognise what you can change – don’t waste time with the “if only’s”, the past is the past
- Have a great support network (friends)
The more you can do to find healthy ways of managing stress today, the better your life and heart will be.
- (The Heart and Stroke Foundation, August 2010)