News

7 Ways to Say No to Stress

Monday, April 24th, 2017

Stress is a common problem that everyone faces to some extent or another. It can arise from just about anything in our lives, including working and volunteering with vulnerable populations, relationships and family life, and finances.

The most effective way to cope with stress is to realize that life will never be entirely stress-free. You can, however, learn to recognize stress symptoms when they appear, and develop tools to cope with stress more effectively.

Here are some tips to navigate the stress in your life and come out on top:

  1. Shift your attitude. Those who manage stress effectively are willing to accept challenges and change with a “can-do” attitude and sense of humor.
  2. Have confidence. You can handle stress! This confidence is nurtured with each new challenge that you successfully conquer.
  3. Think about your health. Though your urge in stressful situations may be to reach for that bag of potato chips or chunk of chocolate, try to avoid these options. Healthy minds and bodies can more easily cope with stress.
  4. Take a nap. Adequate sleep renews your body and clears your mind. If you aren’t getting enough sleep at night, try a 20-minute cat nap during the day.
  5. Avoid people who stress you out. If your co-workers or family are the people who stress you out, it may be difficult to avoid them all the time. But if you have others in your life who cause stress, you have the right to end those relationships in the interest of your health.
  6. Just say no. Know your limits, and be unapologetic about setting those boundaries. Often, stress comes when we over-commit ourselves. Taking on more than you can handle will always cause stress. Learn to differentiate between what must be done and those things that are of lesser priority.
  7. Reframe it. Try to find the positive in a stressful situation. Instead of getting upset, look for the humor in the situation and realize that some stress is just out of your control. Laughter boosts your mood and helps your body fight off the effects of stress.

Though stress is unavoidable, you determine how you handle it. Acceptance can be difficult, but in the long run, it’s easier than stressing about a situation you can’t change.