What are ways to cope with stress?
Stress can be dealt with in various ways – some good, some bad. Dependency on alcohol or drugs, adopting poor eating habits, and engaging in abusive or angry behaviours are harmful ways to cope with stress. Employing relaxation techniques such as massage or meditation, spending time with pets, getting enough sleep and enjoying spiritual pursuits are excellent ways of coping with stress. Seeking help from others, such as participating in support groups or getting professional assistance, is another alternative. Knowledge is power when coping with stress. Recognizing and understanding our stress is an important step to managing it. Look for the signs of stress exhaustion, identify what is causing you stress and adopt strategies for dealing with it. Prepare yourself for handling stressful situations by learning time management techniques, goal setting skills, financial management, self-esteem building and other self-development approaches. The Canadian Mental Health Association distribute
