Why is stress management important

Self-medicating with alcohol or drugs may provide an easy escape from stress, but the relief is only temporary. Get enough sleep. Adequate sleep fuels your mind, as well as your body. Feeling tired will increase your stress because it may cause you to think irrationally. The fastest way to reduce stress is by taking a deep breath and using your senses—what you see, hear, taste, and touch—or through a soothing movement.

By viewing a favorite photo, smelling a specific scent, listening to a favorite piece of music, tasting a piece of gum, or hugging a pet, for example, you can quickly relax and focus yourself. Of course, not everyone responds to each sensory experience in the same way.

The key to quick stress relief is to experiment and discover the unique sensory experiences that work best for you. Stress Management — Learn to manage your stress. American Heart Association. Harvard Health. Tolerating Distress — Workbook and information sheets to help you manage feelings of distress. Centre for Clinical Interventions. Building Your Resilience — Learn how to increase your resilience in the face of stress and hardship. American Psychological Association.

This holiday season alone, millions of people will turn to HelpGuide for free mental health guidance and support. So many people rely on us in their most difficult moments. Can we rely on you? All gifts made before December 31 will be doubled. Cookie Policy. Tip 1: Identify the sources of stress in your life Stress management starts with identifying the sources of stress in your life.

Do you blame your stress on other people or outside events, or view it as entirely normal and unexceptional? Start a stress journal A stress journal can help you identify the regular stressors in your life and the way you deal with them. How you felt, both physically and emotionally. How you acted in response. What you did to make yourself feel better. Tips for building relationships Reach out to a colleague at work.

Help someone else by volunteering. Have lunch or coffee with a friend. Ask a loved one to check in with you regularly. Accompany someone to the movies or a concert. Call or email an old friend. Go for a walk with a workout buddy. Schedule a weekly dinner date. Meet new people by taking a class or joining a club.

Confide in a clergy member, teacher, or sports coach. Get more help. Harvard Health Tolerating Distress — Workbook and information sheets to help you manage feelings of distress. Centre for Clinical Interventions Building Your Resilience — Learn how to increase your resilience in the face of stress and hardship. Print PDF. Before you go! Whether in your personal or professional life, taking on more than you can handle is a surefire recipe for stress.

Avoid people who stress you out. If someone consistently causes stress in your life, limit the amount of time you spend with that person, or end the relationship. Take control of your environment. If the evening news makes you anxious, turn off the TV.

If traffic makes you tense, take a longer but less-traveled route. If going to the market is an unpleasant chore, do your grocery shopping online. Pare down your to-do list. Analyze your schedule, responsibilities, and daily tasks. Request Appointment. Healthy Lifestyle Stress management. Stress basics Stress relief Relaxation techniques.

Products and services. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references How stress affects your health. American Psychological Association. Accessed Dec. Manage stress. What is stress management? American Heart Association. Managing stress. National Alliance on Mental Health.

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Rose RD, et al. A randomized controlled trial of a self-guided, multimedia, stress management and resilience training program. Learn more about drinking in moderation.

Tell your friends and family if you're feeling stressed. They may be able to help. Learn how friends and family can help you feel less stressed. Stress is a normal part of life. Over time, stress can lead to serious problems like depression or anxiety. A mental health professional like a psychologist or social worker can help treat these conditions with talk therapy called psychotherapy or medicine.

Learn more about talk therapy. Manage Stress. Topic navigation Browse Sections Overview. The Basics: Overview Not all stress is bad. But long-term stress can lead to health problems. You can prevent or reduce stress by: Planning ahead Deciding which tasks to do first Preparing for stressful events Some stress is hard to avoid. You can find ways to manage stress by: Noticing when you feel stressed Taking time to relax Getting active and eating healthy Talking to friends and family.

When you're under stress, you may feel: Worried Angry Irritable Depressed Unable to focus Stress also affects your body. Physical signs of stress include: Headaches Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much Upset stomach Weight gain or loss Tense muscles Frequent or more serious colds Stress is different for everyone.

The Basics: Causes of Stress What causes stress? Stress is how the body reacts to a challenge or demand. Stress can be short-term or long-term. Common causes of short-term stress: Needing to do a lot in a short amount of time Having a lot of small problems in the same day, like getting stuck in traffic jam or running late Getting ready for a work or school presentation Having an argument Common causes of long-term stress: Having problems at work or at home Having money problems Having a long-term illness Taking care of someone with an illness Dealing with the death of a loved one.