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Learn how to de-stress when you need it
most.
Your body is naturally equipped to deal
with a certain amount of stress. But if
stress increases and your reserves are low,
stress can have a bigger impact. Building
up your defenses is a "long-term"
plan for reducing stress. It will also improve
your overall health and give you more energy.
To help prepare your body to deal with stress:
- Make sure you are getting enough sleep.
Most people need 7-8 hours per night.
If possible, get extra sleep before and
during periods of increased stress.
- Eat a balanced, nutritious diet. Good
nutrition can improve your ability to
handle stress by keeping your immune system
strong.
- Avoid using caffeine, cigarettes, or
alcohol as a way of dealing with stress.
It's easy to relax when you're not feeling
stressed. It takes a special effort to learn
how to relax in a stressful situation. There
is no "right way" to relax that
works for everyone. Most people use a combination
of methods, and find that different situations
call for different ways of relaxing. You
may need to try several techniques before
finding the one that works best for you.
Here are a few things that can help reduce
stress:
- yoga
- tai chi
- regular physical activity: try to exercise
for at least 30 minutes most days of the
week
- meditation and deep breathing exercises
- taking part in a favourite hobby, such
as gardening, dancing, reading, or listening
to music
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