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It's 6 a.m. and on any other day your alarm clock should have sounded off already. But, you've already turned it off. After several throw down sessions with your covers you just lay there. Your mind is flooded with issues that you can't seem to shake and you're looking a bit haggard from the lack of sleep.

Have you been there? I know I have. Stress is an inevitable part of our lives. Without an approach to cope, we wear ourselves down. Creating a routine to deal with stress is important.

BECOME ORGANIZED

Controlling stress has a lot to do with keeping your to do list in check. Most people will complain that they don't have enough time to get things done. Writing down your responsibilities for work and home is a start. Being able to see a list in front of you will help you determine if you are taking on too much.

Organize items as high or low priority.
Schedule timed tasks on your calendar.
Keep work at work.

Try not to take work home so your responsibilities don't spill over into household obligations. If you have the kind of career where you may need to take work home then give yourself a reasonable time limit. Figure out ways to complete assignment in the workplace. Tighten the belt on long lunch hours and doing work that should be delegated to others which brings me to my next stress reducer.

LEARN TO SAY NO

Practice saying it in the mirror if it's hard for you to say it. When used correctly saying no will release you from many unnecessary stressors and save you time.

Let's say you're a fast typist and your coworker asks you to do her a huge favor. Yes, you guessed it, she needs her meeting notes transcribed and promises that lunch is on her.
Keep saying yes and you may be too bogged down to even take lunch.

Learning to say no in a confident and assertive manner requires that you be direct. Don't feel like you have to offer an explanation as to why you're saying no it undermines you and people may try to guilt you into helping the second time around.

FIND TIME FOR YOURSELF

It is important that you find time to unwind and release the stress in your life. I usually wake up earlier than everyone in my home to meditate. I find that meditation allows me to clear my mind and that's easier to do when it's quiet. What helps me focus during meditation is repeating some positive phrases which work to keep gnawing thoughts at bay.

Look for ways to unwind. Keep an eye out for new restaurant openings or local events in your city and invite people you know to join you. To prevent randomly doing things for yourself schedule time in to relax whether its hanging out in a group, finally reading that book you haven't cracked open yet or revisiting an old hobby.

DO NOT NEGLECT TO WORKOUT

Studies show that even 20 minutes of exercise can relieve tension, give you a boost of confidence and improve your immune system. Join a gym, walk, run or jog. Other ways to release tension is to play a sport or engage in strength and flexibility building exercises such as yoga or pilates.

You may not always have the time to get away for a workout while at your job. My suggestion is taking the staircase instead of the elevator whenever possible. If the weather is nice take a walk outside for a few minutes before grabbing lunch. I spend most of my time in front of my laptop. So, I usually take 10 minute breaks for every hour I am working to stretch. Some of my routine includes deep breathing, side curls, waist twists and shoulder rolls.

Stress is a part of everyday life but it doesn't have to invade your happiness. Implementing ways to alleviate stress will help you maintain a healthy balance. Instead of staring at the ceiling in the middle of the night you'll be resting soundly.

Learn more about this author, JL Francis.
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