Healthy Ideas to Manage Life's Pressures Part 2

Let's return to Mental Health America and their list of ways to cope with day to day stress. Remember - stress affects us all, but when living with a brain disorder it can be dramatically devastating to overall health and well being. Any and all strategies to reduce the effects of stress should be incorporated into a health plan. So with no further ado let's see if we can find a method that we haven't tried...

• Get Enough Rest. Getting enough sleep helps you recover from the stresses of the day. Try to get seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Visit the Sleep Foundation for tips on getting a better night’s sleep.

• Help Others. Helping others builds social networks, improves self-esteem and can give you a sense of purpose and achievement.

• Know your limits. Let others know them, too. If you’re overwhelmed at home or work, or with friends, learn how to say “no.” It may feel uncomfortable at first, so practice saying “no” with the people you trust most.

• Keep a journal. Writing down your thoughts can be a great way to work through issues. Some researchers have reported that writing about painful events can reduce stress and improve health. You can also track your sleep to help you identify any triggers that make you feel more anxious.

Revisit the beginning of this list, watch for the last items on the list in a future post and be sure to visit Mental Health America. Have a peaceful day!