Stress Management Techniques

Self-Care Strategies:

Substantial breakfast daily
Regular sleeping habits (minimum of 7 hours)
No smoking
Moderate use of alcohol, caffeine and other drugs
Minimal intake of sugar & highly processed foods
Maintenance of proper weight
Regular exercise program
Drink much more water than you usually do.

Relaxation Techniques:

Jog in place or do jumping jackscount to 300
Roll head and torso from side to side
Tense your muscles individually, then relax them
Pull seat of chair for 5-count: repeat with legs xtended
Take a deep breath to count of 4, exhale to 4, and repeat 4 times
Massage your forehead or temples; repeat the word calm
Try to walk at least 10,000 steps a day. Walk off your worry.
Meditate for 20 minutes
Listen to music and close your eyes
Take a power nap. Train yourself to sleep for 12 minutes.

Time Management:

Decide what your time is worth. Hire some tasks done.
Learn to delegate. You dont have to do or supervise everything.
Set priorities.
Invest your time in the thing that will give you the highest return on your investment.
Plan your day according to energy levels.
Manage the paper tiger. Try to handle paper only once.

New Ideas for Success: Always have a plan B in mind.
People with options are happier.
Set realistic life goals and work toward them daily.
Let go of uncomfortable situations and toxic relationships.
Practice setting boundaries in an Assertitive but respectful manner.
Assume responsibility for your own choices.

Remember the 4 things that matter most:

Please forgive me, I forgive you, Thank you and I love you.

Give top priority to your primary relationships.

Stressors in life- Stressors in life- Stressors in life- Stressors in life- Stressors in life- Stressors in life

Trying to control things you cant control----Not living one day at a time-----Lack of goals

Not clear on your values----Unrealistic expectations of yourself and others----Negative attitude and outlook----Procrastination----Trying to keep secrets----Listening to gossip----Taking on more than you can physically or emotionally handle----Lack of balance in all areas of your life----Unhealthy habits----Changes, either good or bad ones----Lack of faith in the future----negative self-talk.

This article may be copied and used for teaching purposes as long as the full signature line is included. Judy H. Wright, 406-549-9813-www.ArtichokePress.com

Judy H. Wright, www.ArtichokePress.com Missoula, MT 59801

Judy H. Wright is a parent educator and family coach located in Missoula, Montana. She is an author, international speaker and teacher. For a full listing of books, workshops and tele-classes available please see http://www.ArtichokePress.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Judy_H._Wright

Related Links:

What is stress?

Stress (roughly the opposite of relaxation) is a medical term for a wide range of strong external stimuli, both physiological and psychological, which can cause a physiological response called the general adaptation syndrome, first described in 1936 by Hans Selye in the journal Nature.
An emotionally disruptive or upsetting condition occurring in response to adverse external influences and capable of affecting physical health which can be characterized by increased heart rate, a rise in blood pressure, muscular tension, irritability and depression. Stress does not cause migraine but can be a migraine "trigger".
A condition in which the organism is subjected to unfavourable or unfamiliar environmental conditions, resulting in some alteration in normal physical functioning. Short-term stress can often be overcome. Long-term stress can reduce resistance to disease and parasites, inhibit self-healing processes, and reduce life-span.