Hope on the Street

1: Learn to manage your time more effectively
We waste a lot of time doing unimportant tasks, especially when stressed, so
prioritise your day and do the important jobs first. 

2: Adopt a healthy lifestyle
If we eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and ensure we get adequate sleep &
rest our body is better able to cope with stress.

3: Know your limitations and do not take on too much
We cause ourselves a great deal of stress because we like people to like us and
don’t want to let people down. We then end up doing more than we should.
Learn to be assertive so that you can say no without upsetting or offending.

4: Find out what causes you stress
Take time to discover what is worrying you and try to change your thoughts &
behaviour to reduce it.

5: Avoid unnecessary conflict
Do not be too argumentative. Is it really worth the stress? Look for win – win.
Find out what the real cause of the problem is & deal with it.

6: Accept the things you cannot change
Changing a difficult situation is not always possible. If this proves to be the
case, recognise and accept things as they are.

7: Take time out to relax and recharge your batteries

8: Find time for friends
Friends can ease work troubles & help us see things in a different way. Join a
club or community group.

9: Try to see things differently; do not rely on what other people think
If something is concerning you, try to see it differently. Talk over your
problem
with somebody before it gets out of proportion. Be thankful for the good things
in life.

10: Avoid alcohol, nicotine and caffeine as coping mechanisms
Long term, these faulty coping mechanisms will just add to the problem. E.g.
caffeine & nicotine are stimulants, too much & the body reacts to this with the
stress response increasing or even causing anxiety symptoms. Alcohol is a
depressant!

11: Seek to answer some of life’s big questions. Does God have a plan for my
life? Where can I find my security? Would prayer help? In a world that often
seems out of control faith can really help to reduce anxiety.

12. Do something for others. Focussing on the needs of someone else can
change how we feel and reduce our stress.