by Rachel Faye

Created on: May 04, 2008   Last Updated: September 04, 2011

These days, we all have multiple roles to play; family roles include being a child, parent, grandparent, sibling, relative or spouse. In the work place, we are employee or employer. In society, we are citizens of our country, friend, neighbor, religious member, productive member of society, student, retiree, etc.

We do not have just one role in our life; all our roles inter-link and thus makes us who we are. Each role comes with its own set of challenges; how we manage the challenges is how much stress we accumulate.

Here are some easy to follow tips to control your stress level.

Prioritize

Sometimes it feels that you have too many pots on the stove and they are all going to boil at the same time. That being the case, you have to know which pot you have put on the stove first, BUT at the same time, you must know which will take a shorter cooking time (hmm, this is beginning to sound like a cooking class! Sorry about that). Sounds complicated, and it is. Some jobs need to be attended first, either due to date-lines or that your child is waiting impatiently for you!

Pace yourself

Don't take on too many responsibilities, sounds selfish right, but it's true. If you have too many obligations, you will find it difficult to fulfill some of them. This will cause you stress as you try to do too many things. People that you try to help will be disappointed with you, they may not know the full picture, but that doesn't stop them from feeling that you let them down.

Share your woes with a friend

When the stress gets too much for you, talking about it to your friend will be a great help. As you discuss the areas of stress, your friends can help you identify what the causes are and they can help you eliminate the stress or at least offer some suggestions how to reduce the stress.

Take a day off

It does work. Sometimes, being bogged down by too much stress from the same area, you need to just step away from it all and give it a rest. Have a good break, recharge! Many people are afraid to take this step, as they feel guilty that they are not trying hard enough. Then when you come back to the problem, you may see it from a different angle.

Laughter

The cup is half empty or the cup is half full. Taking a positive outlook in each situation is a better choice and make you a happier person. Being angry and upset all the time doesn't make the stress go away. However, with laughter, at least you bring joy to others around you as well as being healthier (something to do with the chemicals floating around in your system! I will try to do an article on that some other time).

Write it down

Sit down in front of your computer or pen and paper/diary if you prefer and pour it all out! You will be amazed by how much stress you are putting yourself through for sometimes inconsequential things or even get stress over things that you cannot control (like the number of readers coming to read my articles!) Better still write an article for Helium and de-stress.

Reflect

You must know yourself. Take time to reflect on your behavior and what are the triggers that will help you control or lose control of your stress level. Don't be in self-denial, not now. The more you know yourself, the better you can have control over your stress and change your behavior for the better. Many people are afraid to take this step as well, as they fear they may not like the person they see in themselves. Don't worry, if you can see the faults in yourself, that is the first step in your reflection. The next step is to change the behavior.

Remember, Rome was not built in one day. Take one step at a time and see the change in yourself and be a happier person!

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