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Stress is a normal part of life, a part of being human. But left unchecked stress can have a long lasting negative impact on our lives. One of the best ways to not be stressed is to avoid the stressor, but this is hardly reasonable, after all we cant always control the situations or people that surround us. But we can decide how we are going to react.
First pay attention to how you feel. Then identify the stressor. Take steps to reduce your stress reaction. Ways to take control of your stress include the following:

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Slow things down with long deep breaths. This can help you gain perspective, come up with creative solutions to problems, and reduce anxiety. Regular aerobic exercise which can include walking or biking, for 30 minutes or more, 3 to 5 times a week releases endorphins that improve mood and increase tolerance to pain. Regular exercise also improves circulation, physical strength and stamina needed to cope with stress. Stretching exercises help to reduce headaches and back pain. A well nourished body will give you the resources to manage stress Start your day right have a good breakfast. Reduce your caffeine intake (e.g., coffee, tea, cola) Drink 5 to 6 glasses of water each day, dehydration can cause you to be tired during the day. Decrease the amount of salt and sugar, saturated fats, refined carbohydrates in your diet. Eat fruits and vegetables; 5-10 a day will help build your immune system. We are more plugged in than ever before and it is taking a toll on our sleep. New research shows that getting enough sleep at night is critical for well being. Adults need at least 7-8 hours of sleep and teenagers need at least 9 hours of sleep every night. Getting enough sleep has many benefits: it improves concentration and helps you think clearly it improves your ability to complete complex tasks it improves your mood it improves your immune system so you can fight off illness and handle stress better Not getting enough sleep? Try these solutions: Get lots of light EARLY in the day. Abstain or limit use of alcohol, drugs and tobacco. NO caffeine after 4 p.m. Limit your screen time in the evenings (e.g., TVs, computers, smart phones, video games). Try and stick to a regular sleep schedule.

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Every time you laugh the positive energy increases and your body releases natural chemicals (endorphins) that help relieve stress. Laughing increases your circulation, decreases anxiety and tension, and helps you look at life more positively. A sense of humour is one of the most important lifes skills in finding balance and perspective in life. Play is part of being human. The mind craves fun, and play is one of the best ways to get in touch with others and your own creative thoughts and skills. Play inspires happiness and eases stress. Your play might include music, sports, hobbies, theatre, dancing, singing, board games, art, puzzles, etc. One of the best ways to work through lifes struggles is showing compassion for others. Helping someone else can give you a sense of accomplishment; it can help you focus on what really matters to you. Through helping someone else you have the opportunity to share your unique gifts and make change in a positive way. It has been proven that meditation and relaxation has many health benefits including improving heart health. Deep breathing, reading, stretching, and a warm bath are all ways to train your mind and body to relax while taking some time for yourself. Its true, research shows that taking the time to focus on the positive things in your life has a healing affect. For example, expressing gratitude, appreciation, or love will energize your mind, body and spirit. Emotions are essential for our survival. Strong emotions serve as signals to pay attention to what is going on; this includes uncomfortable emotions like anger, fear, sadness and jealousy. Left unchecked, negative emotions will damage our body, mind and spirit. If these kinds of emotions are taking over your life, take the time to honestly examine what is behind these feelings and then work on finding solutions. Being able to forgive others and yourself will help you to find meaning in difficult experiences. If you are having trouble identifying and managing feelings on your own, seek help.

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