Live Healthy Live Well

I’m already late for work and now I’m in the middle of a traffic jam?  How am I going to get the kids to gymnastics, soccer and tee ball practices at the same time?  Everyone’s coming home at a different time tonight and we’re supposed to have supper together?  Make sure and schedule quality time for myself?  Really?  You’ve got to be kidding me!

Stress Management:  Rules for the Weary   

• Stress is part of life.
• Not all stress is bad.
• Only you can prevent stress disorders.
• Stress management is a lifestyle, not a technique.
• As in life, success requires certain skills.
• With practice and guidance, skills can be learned.

Coping with Minor Stressors

Research at the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, Ohio State’s internationally recognized center for the study of body-mind interaction, has resulted in key findings related to how stressors in marriage and care-giving impact health; how stress can lessen vaccine effectiveness; how stress can aggravate allergies and asthma; and the development of interventions that can lessen the effects of stress and promote health.

Try some of the following to help cope with stress:

• Exercise regularly.
• Use meditation, relaxation exercises or breathing techniques.
• Look at situations from a variety of perceptions.
• Talk and share with friends.
• Journal and clarify why things bother you.

Name it, Tame it and Bust that Stress!

• List Priorities: Write down what is most important for you to do and then number from 1 to? With 1 being the most important for you to accomplish.
• Plan Rest Periods: Schedule for “taking a break” in your daily activities.
• Perfection: There is no perfect “anything”. Do the best you can and congratulate and reward yourself for it.
• Exercise: (I think we talked about this earlier!) Try to exercise in your usual manner.  Or, start to exercise.
• Childlike: Have FUN! Engage in playful activities.  Watch children play to remind yourself about “how to play”.
• Spending: Be mindful of your spending.
• Emotional Health: Talk with supportive people. Listen with empathy.  Use non-judgmental approaches.  Say “No” to avoid overdoing.
• Gratitude: Be grateful for what you have and don’t dwell on what you don’t have.

One final thought about Taming Stress

In the words of Somerset Maugham, “It’s a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.”

Remember to always choose the “Best” for yourself!

Written by:  Janet Wasko Myers, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, Ohio State University Extension, Clark County, myers.31@osu.edu

Reviewed by:  Marilyn Rabe, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Franklin County, rabe.9@osu.edu

Sources:

Lisa M. Borelli LISW-S, Counselor, Ohio State Employee Assistance Program, The Ohio State University Health Plan, Columbus, Ohio.  Stress Taming.

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.  Improving Your Health Through Stress Reduction.  http://wexnermedical.osu.edu/patient-care/healthcare-services/improving-your-health-through-stress-reduction

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.  Mindfulness Practices – Mindfulness practices can reduce anxiety, chronic pain, depression, insomnia and stress.  http://go.osu.edu/wexnermindful

onCampus.  February 11, 2016, 16^th Annual Health and Wellness Guide, Wellness is a journey, Pages 7-18.  http://go.osu.edu/HealthWellnessGuide