Coping
with Stress
Here are some suggestions for reducing your stress level:
• Value yourself enough to take the time and energy to
care for yourself.
• Assert yourself. Pay attention to what you are thinking
and feeling, and express yourself in a straightforward,
non aggressive way.
• Focus on what you can do, not on what you can't.
• Break large tasks into smaller pieces, and move slowly
and steadily towards completion.
• Exercise what control you have over the situation; if
everything else is out of your control, you can still control
your attitude toward it.
• Ask yourself what you need to do to take care of yourself;
listen for the answer; and then do it.
• Express your feelings of stress to a trusted friend.
• Listen to your body. Pay attention to what it needs (e.g.,
rest).
• Use relaxation tapes.
• Engage in moderate, regular exercise (e.g., walking).
• If you feel mistreated by others, stand up for your rights,
and protect yourself from being hurt, put down, or taken advantage
of.
• Respect others.
• Set aside unstructured, free time alone, to reflect,
to play, to daydream, to do whatever you would like.
• Make a list of activities that you would find soothing,
and work your way through it.
• Get help if things are going badly. Seeking counseling
is a sign of maturity. |
