Managing Stress Tools for handling stress in your life.

The Truth About Stress Stress is a natural and often beneficial response to every day events and experiences. In limited amounts it can motivate and inspire action.

Symptoms of Stress Overload fatigue headaches loss of concentration difficulty making decisions inability to control anger increased use of alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes or drugs increased or decreased eating feeling overwhelmed thinking often about what you need to do

Measuring Stress How many of you rarely feel stressed? How many of you regularly experience a tolerable level of stress? How many of you experience an excessive amount of stress at least once a week? How many of you experience an excessive amount of stress every day?

Managing Stress First and Most Importantly- Pay Attention –Listen to your body- notice the subtle clues –Find one or two things you can do to reduce your stress. –Learn to say no, or at least “not now.” –Reprogram your thinking.

Managing Stress Use the Power of Visualization –The mind cannot tell the difference between an experience and the memory of an experience. –Have at least one relaxing memory you can relive that totally relaxes you. Use it to calm and center yourself.

Managing Stress Other Techniques for increasing awareness and managing stress: Meditation Massage Reiki Exercise Time in nature Time with animals Time with friends Laughter Pursuit of your passions/interests (provided they are relaxing or invigorating) mood log journaling – either about feelings and emotions body sensation log The Key is to find what works for you and practice it until it becomes second nature.

Managing Stress Quickies- 3 Simple Techniques: –Yawning –Mystic Cool Button –Deep Breathing Bottom line- find one or two things that work for you and make them a regular practice.