I came across some great tips for how to manage stress on WebMD, and I wanted to pass them along as I think they are so important right now as we deal with COVID-19 and related anxiety and uncomfortable feelings associated with not having control over our lives right now. Stay safe and well.
- Keep a positive attitude
- Accept that there are events that you cannot control.
- Be assertive instead of aggressive. Assert your feelings, opinions, or beliefs instead of becoming angry, defensive, or passive.
- Learn and practice relaxation techniques; try meditation or yoga for stress management.
- Exercise regularly. Your body can fight stress better when it is fit.
- Eat healthy, well-balanced meals
- Learn to manage your time more effectively
- Set limits appropriately and learn to say no to requests that would create excessive stress in your life
- Make time for hobbies, interests and relaxation
- Get enough rest and sleep. Your body needs time to recover from stressful events.
- Don’t rely on alcohol or other compulsive behaviors to reduce stress.
- Seek out social support. Spend enough time with those you enjoy.
- Seek treatment with a psychologist or other mental health professional trained in stress management or biofeedback techniques to learn healthy ways of dealing with the stress in your life.