by Mel Mcintyre

Created on: November 23, 2010

"It's not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it."

This is a quote by Hans Selye, the twentieth century Canadian endocrinologist of Austro-Hungarian origin who coined the word “stress”.

Selye discovered that stress occurs whether we hear good news or bad news, whether we’re excited or scared. Stress has positive and negative attributes, so it’s important to make sure we deal with it accordingly.

Here are five simple tips that can help you keep the “bad” stress under control:

1. Exercise & Diet

You’ve heard it before, but it’s still as true as ever. Eat healthy foods and get lots of exercise. Good food fills your body with nutrients and boosts your immune system. Exercise releases chemicals that affect your mood and energy levels. Together they’re an unbeatable combination.

2. Sense of Humor

Don’t take yourself or your life too seriously. Dishes get done, taxes get paid, meals get prepared, and things move along from one day to the next. Take some time out every now and then to watch your favorite comedy, or go out with some fiends for a meal or a relaxing drink. Have a laugh; it’s good for you.

3. Let Things Go

Remember that old saying that tomorrow never comes? The past is over with, and the future is yours to make whatever you want. So don’t be tempted to hold onto grudges, old beliefs, or hang around waiting for people to react the way you want them to. It’s your life, so let go of those feelings and get on with it. Every new day is another chance to start all over again.

4. Express Yourself

Stress makes some people angry. They bottle it up and eventually the pressure gets too much. But releasing the pressure is a good thing. Get angry if you need to, because that will help take some of the pressure off. Just be sure to explain yourself in case anyone gets offended.

5. Get Involved

Got a hobby? Do you enjoy windsurfing, playing the guitar, gardening, or drawing? Spend time doing something that takes your mind off the everyday world, something you enjoy and want to do just for the sake of it. Whatever hobby turns you on will help you zone out of your troubles and relax, giving you a bit of peace and some much-needed variety and me-time.

Don’t forget that stress can be caused by too much worry. Worry is good for us, because it keeps us alert and on our toes. But there needs to be time when you put the worry aside and concentrate on just you. There will always be things to do, and believe it or not, there will always be enough time to get done what needs to be done.

As Jerome K. Jerome wrote in his 1889 book of essays entitled Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow:

"It is impossible to enjoy idling thoroughly unless one has plenty of work to do."

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