Effects of Stress and How to Reduce It

Stress is alive in everybody. In a previous blog, we talked about the causes and
types of stress. Now let’s look at what we can do about stress.
Here are some very basic steps each of us can take to reduce stress.

1. Do more physical activity. I push myself each day to do some exercises
   which help to keep my body loose. I may be 79 but I can still touch my toes
   without bending my knees.
2. Eat a balanced diet. It is very important you balance what you eat. Try to
   get all the vitamins you need from your food, not from a tablet. But, if you
   do need to take a supplement, take it!
3. Reduce your telephone and computer screen time. When you need to use
   either of them, use them. Then put them down and concentrate on
   something else. Why not read a book for a change?
4. Take care of yourself in every way possible. Create a daily routine and stick
   with it. Waking up, eating meals, and going to bed at the same time each
   day gives you stability in your life. Build your own schedule and make it
   work for you.
5. Try journaling for a change of pace. Start by making a list of your successes.
   Remember how you felt when you achieved each one of them. Let yourself
   smile to YOU. Enjoy the feeling.
   In addition to the steps above, there are a few other things I try to do each day.
   If I have started something and haven’t completed it, or created a mess, I finish it!
   That is the first thing I try to do each day. Then it is out of the way and I don’t ever
   have to think about it again.
   I try to deal with the future. I can’t change the past so I don’t live there. The past
   is already complete. I remember the good memories.
   I do not dwell on the negative things that have happened. Forgive and move
   forward. I look to the future because that is where I am going!
   Every day, I try to do at least five things which will be positive steps towards my
   overall goals of helping others. I keep track of them on my calendar. And, at the
   end of each day, I think about the steps I want to complete tomorrow.