meltdowns and freakouts

Hey All!  How is everyone?  Hopefully better than me!  I'm just getting over a sinus infection and I feel like my head got runnover a couple of times... It's also the worst timing for that sort of thing.  Right in the middle of midterms, with a couple of big events going on.  I bet i'm not the only one who gets sick when there is so much happening. It's pretty common knowledge that getting stressed out can make us more susceptable to colds and other nasty little bugs.  So since the weather is finally starting to get nice, and being sick is the last thing we want right now, I thought I would  go over some stress management techniques.

Correcting long term behavior is the best way to prevent that 'tear your hair out' feeling. 

Long Term Stress Management:

1. Excercise regulary:  I know its hard to find time to schedule this in, but even doing it once a week will make you feel much better.  Excercise produces endorphines that make you happy, and it gives you a boost in self esteem as well as many other postive benefits!

2. Eat a Balanced Died:  undereating makes you tired and doesn't provide enough energy to keep up with a busy life, overeating makes you feel guilty.  When you eat properly your overall health is better, which reduces stress in itself and you also feel better about yourself. 

3. Set aside time for yourself:  Not having enough alone time is one of the biggest causes of stress today.  Take some time to turn that cell off and all your other electronics, and just do some of your favorite activies.  This will make you feel refreshed and ready to start doing work again. 

4. Get enough sleep!  This is so important!  I know it takes up time, but you really will feel better if you get a full 7 to 9 hours. 

5. Avoid Self Medication:  By doing this you will just be putting the problems aside to build up and deal with later.  Your only postponing the stress, not dealing with it. 

6.  Take Control! It is so important to order your own life.  Learn time management techniques. Set Priorities and stick to them!  If you learn how to avoid procrastination then you will have MUCH less to stress about!

No matter we good we are, there are always times when something is going to stress us out.  These meltdowns are an inevitable part of life.  We just need to learn how to handle them.  Here are some quick things you can do in the moment, to help come back down to earth. 



Short Term Stress Management:

1. Breathe!  You probly here this alot, but taking a couple of deep breaths really can help calm you down.  It will help to steady your nerves, slow your heartrate and help you focus. 

2. Prioritize:  It will help you to take stock of everything that you have to do and figure out which is the most important.  This way you can eliminate those tasks first.

3.  Focus on the positives:  Whatever you focus on will expand, so try to focus on good things.

4. Talk it out:  Find someone who is a good listener and just vent for a little.  Their perspectives may also help you to take a more realistic look at the situation. 

The most important thing to keep in mind is that stress is an emotion.  You can't control your emotions.  But you can control how you react to them.  By just remembering not to panic you can handle your stress much more affectivly. 

If you would like more info, this is a really good site!

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_signs.htm

Well I hope this helps some of you avoid a breakdown, and stay healthy!  See you soon, and TTFN!