by Anja Emerson

Created on: August 30, 2009

Stress is manifested as a series of psychological reactions such as irritability, fatigue and tension, but also through physical reactions like headaches and agitation. It is the result of dealing with events that are challenging and upset our mind's balance.

Stress is an increasingly common problem of our modern society. Meeting deadlines, fulfilling expectations, feeling frustration is very recurrent in modern workplaces. The desire to constantly outperform others, of being better and faster, of reaching goals can cause severe emotional strain.

In order to conquer the effects of stress, consider the following tips:

1. Practice relaxation techniques or meditation
These can help you relieve your symptoms and refresh your mind. If you have a stressful lifestyle, try to meditate or relax for around 15-30 minutes every day. Get your mind off the problems you have and boost feelings of joy and happiness.

2. Balance work with play
Always aim at achieving a balance between the amount of time you spend working and how much you spend having fun. You need to gratify yourself, especially after reaching goals or meeting high expectations of your employer.

3. Manage your time effectively
By appropriately managing your time and planning ahead you can reduce your stress. Time is one of the biggest factors that cause stress, so divide your time properly between your activities and you will feel more relaxed.

4. Exercise regularly
If your busy schedule allows it, make some time for half an hour of work outs per day. This will energize your body, relieve psychological and physical tensions and free your mind from the negative effects of stress.

5. Get adequate sleep
Sleep alleviates stress by disconnecting your mind from your daily problems and refreshing your mind. Make sure you get a good night's rest (that means 8 hours on average). You will wake up feeling better and ready to face new challenges.

6. Engage in a hobby
You can give yourself a break from time to time by engaging in one of your favorite hobbies or past times. This can be anything you enjoy: dancing, drawing, painting, camping or taking solitary walks.

7. Go on a holiday
Taking some time off and detaching from your daily responsibilities can temporarily diminish your stress levels and make you feel a lot better about yourself. Don't hesitate to visit some beautiful places and enjoy some new landscapes.

8. Set realistic and reasonable goals
People often aim too high, too fast and feel tremendous stress while trying their best to reach their goals. Always set realistic goals for yourself. This will keep away from frustration and will offer you more satisfaction.

9. Spend quality time with friends and family
There's nothing more relaxing and enjoyable than spending time with your close friends and your family. Don't neglect interpersonal relationships for the sake of your work obligations.

10. Maintain a positive outlook
Finally, the most important thing about avoiding stress all together is to think positively and charge your mind with optimism. Avoid worrying excessively about things that aren't under your control.

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