The number 1 goal of managing stress is to cue the “relaxation response” (the physiological and psychological calming process our body goes through when we perceive that the danger, or stressful event, has passed)
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association the following examples help to cue our relaxation response
- Meditation
- Deep breathing
- Awareness knowing what is going inside and all around you
- Set realistic goals for yourself (over extending yourself and your expectations will eventually lead to being overly stressed out)
- Exercising
- Enjoying yourself (life is meant to be enjoyed)
- Learning visualization techniques (seeing yourself in a calm, happy, peaceful place)
- Striving after a healthy lifestyle
- Having someone to talk to (no man is an island – we all need each other)
Making some of the above examples a part of your daily life will help to improve your ability to maintain good mental health and will decrease any excessive stress you might be currently or inevitably going to face.
p.s. Here’s the link to a track on my recent devotional cd that was specifically created to help do exactly what we are talking about today… It’s called ‘Just Breathe’. I hope you enjoy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VmBVtSI6Tw
🙂
C