| We cannot avoid stress. It is everywhere. Our daily | | | | being. If you have a very demanding job, allow time |
| activities and interactions with other people | | | | for yourself. Take a midday break. You can drop off |
| predispose us to stressful situations. Our stress | | | | a letter to the post office or make a bank deposit. |
| comes from a multitude of sources ranging from an | | | | Use the time to walk around the block, breathe |
| overflow of work in the office to death of a loved | | | | deeply and come back more relaxed and collected. |
| one. Sometimes, it is due to external circumstances | | | | If on the other hand you are a busy parent with |
| beyond our control. Whatever its origin, stress can | | | | active kids who rarely take naps, take a time-out by |
| create a serious effect on our body, mind and soul. | | | | sending them to a play group for a few hours or |
| Studies show that a variety of diseases have been | | | | encourage them to use their coloring book. You could |
| linked to psychological stress. Although still in its early | | | | relax in your bedroom and be rejuvenated. |
| stages, research shows that 75 percent of all | | | | Allow an hour or two for yourself on weekends with |
| physician visits are made by people with stress | | | | nothing to do but relax. You can take a bath, |
| related complaints. Even our everyday aches and | | | | meditate, read a good book or watch television. |
| pains like headaches, backaches and indigestions are | | | | Avoid cleaning the dishes or paying your bills during |
| traced back to stress. | | | | your relaxation hour. If possible, take the phone off |
| When we feel stressed, our subconscious is sending | | | | the hook so that you will have all the time for |
| us a strong signal that something is wrong and | | | | yourself. |
| somehow we are not getting our needs met. We | | | | Make it a habit to go to bed early. If you feel that |
| might have been devoting more time to our work, | | | | you cannot set aside few minutes a day for yourself, |
| other people's needs, or dealing with distressing | | | | at least take a rest early. By turning in early, you give |
| situations like job loss or relationship breakups and in | | | | yourself a chance to relax and be free from any |
| the end we forget to take care of ourselves. It is | | | | distressing situation that is occupying you during the |
| always important to make space for ourselves in the | | | | day. |
| midst of our busy schedule. | | | | Setting aside a "me" time and making space despite |
| If you are starting to feel stressed out, do | | | | your busy schedule will enable you to live a less |
| something for yourself, give yourself a break and try | | | | stressed life. It is when we occupy ourselves daily |
| to follow these simple tips. | | | | with the many stressful situations of life that we |
| Take a pause from your routine. A 20 minute break | | | | become so drained and helpless to attend to even to |
| from your daily work could mean a lot for your well | | | | the simplest problem at hand. |