We have talked a lot about the causes of stress and the signs and symptoms of the natural stress response and stress overload.  Now we are going to talk about the steps we can take to reduce the consequences of stress overload.

We all have our own unique response to stress.  Your ability to tolerate stress depends on many factors, including:

• The quality of your relationships

At any stage or age in life, you can learn to nurture and develop more quality in your relationships.  A strong network of supportive friends and family members can be a buffer against life’s stressors.

• Your general outlook on life

The more optimistic you are, the better equipped you are to handle stress.  Learning how to embrace challenges and accept change are important, as are developing a strong sense of humor and developing an attitude of gratitude.

• Your emotional intelligence

You can be very vulnerable to stress if you don’t know how to calm and soothe yourself when you are feeling angry, overwhelmed or sad.  You can learn how to bring your emotions in balance at any age. 

• Your sense of control

It is easier to deal with stress when you have confidence in yourself and your ability to persevere through challenges.  You are a worthwhile person, even when life isn’t going how you want.  Get to know yourself deeply and accept all that you see about yourself and this will lead to a greater sense of Self Control.

• Your knowledge and preparation for stress

The more knowledge you can gain about a stressful situation, helps you to go in armed with a realistic expectation of what will happen and then it is easier to bounce back.

• Your genetics

It is important that you know that you may have a certain genetic disposition.  Though now through the new science of Epigenetics, we know that these genetic dispositions are not set in stone. 

Dealing with stress and its symptoms

When you have been observing your coping strategies to stressful situations, you may have noticed that you are doing things that compound the stress.  You may be by drinking too much, overeating, watching the TV or computer for hours, taking pills to relax or by blaming others.  There are many healthier ways to cope with stress and its symptoms.

My advice would be to choose and focus on coping strategies that make you feel calm and in control.

You may feel like the stress in your life is out of your control, but you can always control the way you respond.  

Our Stress-Less Formula is about taking charge of your thoughts, your emotions, your schedule and the way you deal with problems. 

Good stress management involves changing the stressful situation when you can, changing your response when you can’t and taking car of yourself and making time for rest and relaxation.

Stress-Less by:

• Avoiding unnecessary stress.
• Learning how to say “no.”
• Learning to distinguish when you are doing “should” and “must” on your to-do list.
• Being more upfront and dealing with the problems as they arise.
• Being willing to meet others hallway and compromise if necessary.
• Reframing problems or focusing on the positive things in your life.
• Accept the things you can’t change.
• Accept that no-one, including you, is perfect.

Cope better with the symptoms of stress by strengthening your physical health:

• Set aside time for relaxation.  Techniques such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing, activate the body’s relaxation response, which is the opposite of the stress response.
• Exercise regularly, as physical activity plays a key role in reducing and preventing the effects of stress.  Aerobic exercise is great for releasing pent-up stress and tension.
• Eat a healthy diet.  A well-nourished body is better prepared to cope with stress.  Start your day with a healthy breakfast and reduce your caffeine, sugar intake.
• Get plenty of sleep.  Feeling tired can increase your stress by causing you to think irrationally.