Have you ever thought how stress affects your health? Stress weakens our immune system & can derail so many of our health initiatives like eating vegetables, exercising consistently, & sleeping soundly. We have to take action in dealing with stress: thoughts, emotions, schedule, environment, & unexpected occurrences. We may not be able to control the situation but we can control our reaction! We must learn to take care of ourselves & make time for rest & relaxation. The more effective your stress management is the better you will feel! Repeat & Remember these four As: avoid, alter, adapt, or accept.
- Avoid unnecessary stress. Learn how to say no, distinguish between “shoulds” and “musts” on your to-do list, & steer clear of people/situations that stress you out.
- Alter the situation. If you can’t avoid a stressful situation, try to alter it. Be more assertive and deal with problems head on; compromise if possible. Respectfully let others know about your concerns.
- Adapt to the stressor. When you can’t change the stressor, try changing yourself. Reframe problems or focus on the positive things in your life. Always look at the big picture: is this really something worth getting upset about?
- Accept the things you can’t change. There will always be stressors in life that you can’t do anything about. Learn to accept the inevitable rather than rallying against a situation making it even more stressful. Look for the upside in a situation—even the most stressful circumstances can be an opportunity for learning or personal growth. Learn to accept that no one, including you, is ever perfect. My favorite quote is “fail forward” by anonymous. When we give our all on a project and still fail, we can be proud of our effort, pick ourselves up, and do something different to achieve that project.
If we can remember these A’s then we can respond to the stressful situation in a more health-oriented way. Instead of eating your frustration, discuss it. Instead of napping your tiredness, walk outside. Instead of zoning out in front of prime-time t.v., complete a nighttime routine to sleep soundly. Stress Management needs to be something you enjoy. Do you like to walk, read, take a bath, bike, or put together puzzles? Test out healthy stress management actions to see how your brain truly relaxes. So what is your stress management technique that you will complete this week? Reply below.
In addition, if you would like more information on stress responses read this blog post: Your Childhood Relaxation Action. 
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(Reference: The 4 A’s: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_signs.htm)