LEARN HOW TO DE-STRESS IN LIFE

Everyone experiences stress. Some people say life is more stressful today than ever before. Health care providers say stress-related disorders are on the rise. Approximately 75 percent of all doctor visits are thought to be stress-related. Stress can be a motivator, but when mild stress turns into chronic or severe stress, it's time to do something about it.

If you have frequent headaches or stomach aches, tight muscles, a bad back, catch more than your share of colds or the flu, it could be due to stress.

If you feel tired but cannot get to sleep or if you feel edgy, more irritable than usual, or sensitive and moody, it could be stress-related.

If your relationship become strained and people make more demands or seem needier, it could be their reaction to your stress.

If traffic seems heavier, the days longer or shorter, the loss more demanding, or coworkers more bothersome, it's likely from stress.

If you feel over committed, have trouble keeping track of appointments, fall behind schedule, or forget important information, the culprit probably is stress.

If your motivation is down, your anxiety is up, and you're smoking or drinking more but eating less and less, the problem is most likely your stress.

If you're eating on the run, your petrol tank is empty, your bills are overdue, and your house is a mess, it is your stress.

If you have no time to yourself but bend over backwards for everyone else, you pass the stress test.

Pay attention to triggers of stress and learn how to de-stress when stress hits. More important, do everything you can to prevent stress in your life.

There are many ways to help counter and prevent stress. Incorporate as many as you can into your daily routine.

Here are things you can do to make sure stress doesn't get the best of you.

Exercise. Stretch, do yoga, walk, run, just move.

Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Drink less caffeine and more water.

Get enough sleep. Try going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.

Take small breaks from the work.

Listen to relaxing music.

Express your emotions.

Meditate and visualize.

Resolve your problems.

Delegate or ask for help.

Say no. Don't take on more than you can handle.

Laugh as much time as you can.

Stick to budget and reduce your debt.

Get organized.

Create a relaxing environment.

Forgive yourself and others.

Focus on one day at a time.

Pray everyday.

Let go of your need to control.

Have fun in life.

Take charge of your time and your life.

If you fail to control your stress, your stress will end up controlling you.