Stress is a natural part of life, however sometimes it can cause a nuisance and hinder the mental development of a person. Reducing the impact of stress on your life is highly important to help you live a happier and more fulfilling life.

STRESS DIARY

Before relieving the stress you must first identify the parts of your life than most effects you when it comes to stress. This may seem easy for some, but remember that some regions may play a small role in your life, but you have a large impact. Identify situations that are uncomfortable or where your behaviour changes, and take notes of them in a daily fashion. Your diary will focus on your personal life stresses and monitor how you deal with it, when you feel stressed or if there is a stressful situation you can observe the circumstances and see why it stressed you. I hope you will see a link or connection between the activities you are involved in and how you feel.

Stress can take many forms, as part of life "it is always a stressful time at home" as part of your career "I'm always under pressure to meet deadlines" or an issue of a temporary problem "I just have a lot on at this time." We need to identify and understand the role of stress in your life before you can begin to control it.

HOW CAN I RELIEVE STRESS?

The first question to consider is "how can you relieve stress?" Using the "Diary of Stress" write what you do when faced with stress. From this we can see if you deal with stress in a healthy way.

Some examples of unhealthy ways of coping with stress:

• Alcohol

• Avoid the problem hoping it will disappears

• Ignoring the problem or watching TV/computer

• Medicine, pills, drugs to relax

• Over eating or under-nutrition

• Sleeping

• Smoking

• Taking the pressure out on others

• Withdrawal from society and friends and family

All these methods can cause temporary relief of the person compelled, however, the long-term stress can cause psychological problems and harsh conditions. So if any of these methods is the solution today is the day we find a new strategy for you!

Unfortunately, there is no "single seat" method to help relieve the stress of all as we are all different and unique to our personality, commitment and tolerance. Here I have put together ways to relieve stress that everyone can try.