Five Ways to Deal with Stress

Stress has scary consequences if not dealt with.  Headaches, back ache, strokes, heart attacks, high blood pressure and the list goes on.  Not to mention all of the emotional consequences of stress: anxiety, depression and anger. The key to avoiding these consequences is managing our stress. That is often easier said than done. For you today I have written 5 practical ways to reduce stress.

1.       Get difficult people out of your life.

a.       If you have unhealthy people causing you a lot of stress and heart ache, do not spend so much time with them. 

2.      Get healthy people in your life.

a.       Find healthy people at church, in an organization, or at your work that can encourage you and promote good health.  Who you spend time with will drastically effect how you experience life.

3.       Make physical activity part of your every day routine.

a.       Whether you go to the gym, run on the streets or trails, or you dance with your kids in the kitchen the more movement you do the better. Exercise and movement is proven to reduce stress and improve health.

4.       Spend time journaling, meditating or praying.

a.       Reflecting and processing your life significantly reduces the negative effects stressors can have on you. If you process it can more easily be released from you, protecting you from its damaging effects.

5.       Be intentional about having fun.

a.       Make fun a priority. Have exciting things to look forward to.  Having fun can release stress and help you to relax.

Learning to relax and let go of stress can be very difficult. If you are having trouble doing this, seek help. That is what counselors are for. The freedom that comes from being able to relax and cope with life is worth the work!