What symptoms do you present when you are stressed? How do they show up for you?

Stress often comes in a wide variety of forms: physical, mental, and emotional.

Physical signs include headaches, muscle tension, upset stomach, restless sleep, shaky/sweaty hands, and restlessness.
Mental signs include being easily distracted or unable to concentrate, being more forgetful, having simple problems that become exaggerated, and having more dreams.
Emotional signs include irritability, short temper, exhaustion, and inability to make decisions.
How can you relieve or reduce your stress?

TIP #1 – Take charge.

When you feel in control, you can RESPOND instead of REACT to your environment. You feel more empowered and more able to handle whatever comes your way. Start by looking at what you can control and what you can’t.

Make a list of the things I control in my life.
Make a list of things that are TRULY out of my control.
What is my attitude towards the things I control? Towards things, I do not?
What tensions can I say “no”, eliminate, reduce or delegate in my life?
What can I add to my life that counteracts stress? (meditation, exercises, etc.)
What positive people do I want in my life to support me?
Which negative people do I need to spend less time with?
What is the most important thing for me?
Make a list, set priorities, and commit to eliminating one stressful thing a day!

TIP #2 – Incorporate Exercise.

Regular exercise is one of the best stress reduction techniques out there. It has multiple stress-relieving benefits:

IMPROVED HEALTH: “Exercise adds life to your years and years to your life” through a lower heart rate and reduced risk of heart disease; it can also prevent certain types of cancer and will increase resistance.
IMPROVED MOOD – Exercise causes the brain to release opium-like substances that relieve pain and produce a natural high, giving a feeling of well-being and comfort. It also stimulates the brain to secrete serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which act as antidepressants and improve mood (deficiencies can lead to depression, anxiety, impulsiveness, aggression, and increased appetite).
REDUCED BODY TENSION: Exercise helps relieve pent up emotions that we hold in our muscles. Having a relaxed body allows you to sleep better, have more energy, improve concentration and memory, and speed up your alertness and reaction time, resulting in an overall sense of well-being.
CREATE A PLAN:

How can taking charge and exercising affect my stress level?
How do I want to feel after I have planned and exercised, both physically and emotionally?
What can I do to incorporate planning and exercise into my life? (What? When? With whom? For how long?)
START TODAY:

Find a friend to exercise with for the recommended minimum of 20-30 minutes a day, 3-5 times a week. Exercising with a friend helps provide a plan for regular routine, accountability, and enables multitasking so you can brainstorm, encourage, or share thoughts with a friend while you exercise.
Get a personal trainer or join a gym. Push yourself to TRAIN!
Be mindful about exercising. Park further away and walk. Take a flight of stairs instead of an elevator. Do sit-ups while watching TV. Take the dog for a walk in the morning before you shower.
All the benefits of planning and exercise impact your ability to be more alert, move faster, and feel better. Taking the time to do this will actually give you more time for the other things you need to do and REDUCE YOUR STRESS!