Hello!  It’s Jeff from the Self Help Tips Blog.  I hope everyone is blessed with as good of weather as we are currently experiencing here in Minnesota.  Today I would like to share a few more self help tips that you can use to manage stress.

The first thing that you should do if you are feeling stressed about a situation is stop what you are doing and ask yourself this question: will it matter next week, next month or next year?  If not, let it go.  Don’t worry about it unnecessarily.

Always remember to look at a situation from the other person’s point of view.  What would you do if you were in their shoes?  Remembering to do this can help a lot. You’ll probably come up with a solution to the problem that will be a win-win situation for both parties.  In doing so, the other person may even back down some, if they sense that you are trying to find a common solution.

If you have said or done something that is causing a rift between yourself and someone else and it’s bothering you or you feel bad about it, then you should definitely apologize. Nine times out of ten, you will both feel at least a little better about the situation.  For those of us who find it hard to admit that we are wrong, there is a way to apologize without admitting fault.  If you’ve made someone feel bad but you still think that you are right, you can say that you are sorry for making the person feel bad or upset.  This strategy works well and is better than not apologizing at all.

Wait before responding.  If you are upset, count to 10 before responding to someone.  Take that time to lighten your tone and response.  By taking 2 deep breaths before responding, whatever comes out will sound a lot better than if you don’t.  It’s also nice if you can respect the other person’s feelings.  Just state your feelings in a “matter of fact” kind of way.  Everyone has the right to their own opinion, whether right or wrong.

If you feel so busy at work that you can never take a break, try to at least stop for 30 seconds a few times per day to take a few deep breaths.  It will help you relax, clear your mind and re-focus your energy on the task at hand.

If you have a problem that you are not sure how to handle, try to find someone to talk to that will give you constructive advice.  You’ll need a mature person who can help you take a step back from the situation and make the right decision.

When you are away from work, try reading a good book or playing with your children in order to relax and get your mind off of things.  If you just supervise your (or someone else’s) children and don’t play with them, you are really missing out on some fun.

Exercise is another great stress reliever, and it also has lasting benefits.  It will release endorphins in your body that will change your mental outlook and make you feel better. Exercise will also reduce stress, lower your blood pressure and increase your immune system.  You don’t have to do anything formal, just walk a little, shoot some hoops, bike, swim or even play hop scotch with the kids.

Last but not least, be sure to get enough sleep.  Stop doing any kind of work or activity at least one hour before you go to bed.  You need to relax your mind.  Keep a pad of paper on your night stand.  If you remember something that you forgot to do, write it down so that you don’t have to worry about trying to remember it while you are sleeping.  Make sure your room is dark and quiet.  Wear ear plugs if necessary.  Sometimes, listening to a relaxing tape while in bed will help you relax and get to sleep.

In today’s fast-paced society, stress is almost unavoidable.  By utilizing the above techniques, I hope that you will be able to manage stress as life throws it at you, one curveball after another.  Good luck!