Anxious? 5 Tips for Reducing Stress Right Now

By: Victoria Jerman Dravneek
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:40:54
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Stressed out, worn down, anxious, caged in – we’ve all been there. Anxiety, which the National Institute of Mental Health defines as a “normal reaction to stress” affects every single one of us at one time or another. As women, we are even more susceptible to anxiety’s symptoms because we are the backbones in our careers, our marriages, with our children and beyond. We are well-oiled machines that switch from task to task on a dime, never letting anyone see us sweat. However, as you probably know, stress is a killer and it robs us of our health and wellness in mind, body and spirit. How do you cope? Here are five practical tips that you can use right now to reduce your stress.

Exercise: Go ahead, get up and go take a walk. It will reduce your stress level and clear your head so you can think clearly. If you’re serious about ridding your body of stress – join an exercise program where you are accountable to your fellow exercisers (improves the chances that you will stick with it.) If you are stuck in cubicle land and can’t get up until lunch, try stretching. Take a few deep breaths – in through the nose, out through the mouth and slowly stretch each part of your body. If you do this several times throughout the day, you will feel more relaxed and better focused on the task at hand. If you have one of those minds where information falls out (like I do) stick a post it on your computer – use your own code if you have to so your boss doesn’t think you are nuts.

Eat Healthy: Do not deprive yourself, but do you really think that big mac or “salad” that is two feet high and piled with over-fried chicken, bacon and dressing is going to make you feel good? By the end of lunch, you will slip into the granddaddy of all food comas, so you will get even less done and you will feel even more stressed. It is true that our level of stress is directly related to our desire for disgustingly wonderful fatty comfort foods. Go there a little if you need to but make sure to compliment your indiscretion with some fruits and veggies and lots of water. Diet soda is the enemy. If you don’t believe me, look it up.

Make a List: How do you eat an elephant? One bit at a time. When you feel overwhelmed, stressed and anxious, make a list of everything you need to do and then prioritize it. Start with the tasks you dread the most to get them out of the way. Set reasonable expectations on what you can accomplish for the day and don’t give yourself too many hassles if you don’t get through the whole thing.

Give Yourself a Break: Many of us are our own worst critic (okay, so I need to follow my own advice here). You deserve a break today – but a healthy one – not one that will entail hoovering a quart of ice cream or mowing through an entire pizza. Allow yourself to relax, give yourself permission to daydream a little – maybe plan for something you want to do in the future.

Expand Your Horizons: Getting in a rut can also increase the anxiety in your life and leave you with that “rat on a treadmill” feeling. Who says you can’t do something new? Make a commitment to doing something different to break out of that comfort zone – plan a trip, take a class, try something new. Even if it is as simple as joining a message board or reading about something you have always been interested in but never pursued, it will help your head.

Well, that’s what I’ve got today. Stress-free living is nearly impossible, but a less stressed life is within your reach today. How do you handle stress? Let me know by adding a comment or by emailing me at feedback@modernsage.com.

Victoria Jerman Dravneek, a.k.a. "The Office Coach" began her corporate career as an Administrative Assistant for children's book publisher, Scholastic Inc. in 1994. Within six years, she was the Vice President of the NYC-based web developer Affinity Online. She is Director of Editorial and Marketing on Modern Sage, a Women's Natural Health Magazine She has served as the Assistant Managing Editor of iVillage.com and has been a producer and consultant for such well-known women’s brands as Women.com and the National Organization for Women.

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