When people are stressed, they tend to reduce the amount of self-care in which they engage. Frequently, they have the attitude "I don't have time to take care of myself. I'm too stressed!" However, when you don't have the time to take care of yourself or to relax is when you most need to do so.

Although it can be hard to make yourself take the time you need to manage the stress you experience, research has shown that if those reacting to stress can increase their use of coping methods, they will be able to manage stressors in their lives much better.

In addition, although stress does not directly cause health problems typically, it does indirectly influence many, if not most, health conditions whether it is a physical condition such as diabetes or heart disease or whether it is a psychiatric condition such as depression. Therefore, learning to regularly use coping methods to manage the stress in your life will also help improve your overall health.

The following list of suggestions are things you can do to help you learn to cope with the stress you experience to reduce the physical impact on you. Some of them are simpler and some are more involved. It is better to start with something simple that you feel fairly certain you can achieve. That way you are less likely to feel discouraged. Not all the suggestions are relevant for all people. So, review the list, read the detailed descriptions, and choose what is most likely to work for you.

As you review the suggestion list you may find that you are already doing some of the suggestions. However, you may not be giving yourself credit for the positive or healthy things you do for yourself. Keeping track of the positive things can help you focus in a different way. The Stress Journal included in this app allows you to keep a list of things to do about your stress as well as tasks you have completed. In addition, you can include positive outcomes in the journal.

Try to do at least one of the suggestions a day. As you are able, try to do more. Remember that none of these suggestions are meant to take the place of the advice of your mental health professional. They are meant to be an aid to other assistance you may be getting. READ MORE: page 2