If you think you are stressed, what can you do about it? You have many options for coping with stress. Stress management techniques provide both stress relief and help prevent stress from building up. If your stress level is extreme, professional help, such as psychotherapy, may be necessary for stress relief.

Stress management begins by learning to identify when you experience stress. Learn to spot stress symptoms as they start. Effective stress relief and stress management requires an awareness of what causes your stress, and which coping strategies work for you. The following are a few suggestions for coping with stress.

Stress Relief: Coping with Stress by Talking it Out

Talking with someone is one of the most important types of stress relief therapy. Find someone you trust: a friend, a family member, a priest, social worker, or professional counselor. Tell them how you've been feeling. Knowing you have social support is a powerful tool when coping with stress.

Keeping a journal is another stress relief method. Noting when you feel stress, how you react and what brings you stress relief can give you insight into how you handle stress and what your personal stress tolerances are.

Psychotherapy and Therapy Options for Stress Relief

>Coping with stress can be difficult, especially if you suffer from chronic stress. Don't be afraid to seek out professional counseling and stress management therapy. Psychotherapy can help you discover the source of your stress and provide you with stress relief. If you don't feel you need psychotherapy, you may still benefit from stress management therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you alter unhealthy habits, which can help with stress relief.

Coping with Stress through Stress Management Therapy

Stress management techniques are proven methods of coping with stress and have a positive effect on your health. Stress relief reduces the risk of development of a number of health problems. A clear example of the benefits of stress management was provided by a study examining the effects of stress management therapy on type 2 diabetes. Those participants who underwent stress management therapy experienced significantly fewer diabetes complications.

Resources

Beers, M. H. & Berkow, R. (ed). Body-mind interactions [electronic version]. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 17th Edition. Merck Research Laboratories, NJ, 1999. www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual_home2/sec01/ch001/ch001f.htm.

Esch, T., Fricchione, G., Stefano, G. (2003). The therapeutic use of the relaxation response in stress-related diseases. Medical Science Monitor 9, RA23-34.

Gardner, A. (2003, June 16). Worrying won't help psoriasis treatment. HealthDay. Retrieved August 19, 2003, from www.healthday.com/view.cfm?id=513715.

National Mental Health Association. (nd). Stress: Coping with everyday problems. Retrieved August 24, 2003, from www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/41.cfm.

Stone, F. (2003, January 1). Time troubles: Manage your time and cut your stress levels. HealthDay. Retrieved August 25, 2003, from www.healthday.com/view.cfm?id=511263.