Everybody gets stressed out. It occasionally helps you concentrate and finish the task at hand. However, regular and severe stress can wear down your body and impair its ability to perform. Living effectively requires figuring out how to cope. Take these actions to help you cope with stress.

• Try to follow a daily routine. Avoid disorganization.
• Get adequate sleep.
• Physical exercise everyday can help you to reduce stress. However do not overdo the exercise- otherwise this itself can get stressful!
• Learn a meditation technique and use it. A 10 minute meditation everyday can help you cope better with the tensions that life brings you.
• Watch the way you breathe. Deep breathing helps to relax us.
• Try to avoid worrying. Instead schedule a “worry time” of 10 minutes everyday, if necessary, in which you can worry.
• Manage time so that you can avoid rushing
• Be realistic about the goals that you would like to achieve in your life. Being overambitious can lead to stress.
• Do not let petty problems get the better of you. Decide whether a problem is worth getting stressed about.
• Spend time with people whose company you enjoy.
• Develop a sense of humor.
• Take time to partake in activities that you like-listening to music, painting, going on a hike etc.

The important thing to remember is that life has its ups and downs. A lot depends on the way you perceive a situation. If you feel that certain situations and circumstances are overpowering, use your resources, skills, intelligence to ride over the wave of problems. When life is good, enjoy yourself!

Dr Vinaya Prabha V Baligar

Stress is the physical and mental tension you feel when you are faced with  the demands and pressures that come from school, work, family. It could also arise from unrealistic rules and  expectations that you impose on yourself, from your obligations and from excessive self-criticism.

The Stress reaction tells you that you are under pressure. When under stress the heart beats faster, muscles get tense; you sweat, your mouth may go dry.

Signs of Stress

• You might have a change in appetite or develop a headache.
• You may feel anxious or you may lose your temper at the slightest provocation.
• You may feel listless and lose interest in your work.
• You may feel tearful, nervous or scared beyond reason
• You may be unable to make decisions or to concentrate on classes or other activities
• You may experience high levels of irritability, including unruly, aggressive, violent behavior
• You may sleep excessively
• You may procrastinate

Stress cannot be eliminated but you can learn how to handle it effectively.

Dr Vinaya Prabha V Baligar