Article by Roger M. Ingbretsen

More than at any other time in human history, we live in a world of constant information creation, discovery, and dissemination. Couple this with changing cultural norms, the constant introduction of innovative technology, bank and business failures, a down economy, an explosive world-population as well as the ability to access virtually any part of our planet at warp speed, and it is reasonable to say change is all around us. As a result of all of the above, plus the “normal” every day relationships people deal with, stress has become a natural and unavoidable feature of modern life.

To help you relieve stress in a crazy world the following examples are provided to give you actions you can consider when dealing with some of the often-cited causes of stress.

Money Problems… Develop a budget and stick to it. Learn new relevant skills so your learning power can increase your earning power. Save, in order to have a rainy day fund. Do not buy anything on impulse because it drives one of the highest money stress levels – debt. Live within your income. Spend your time wisely because time is money.

Workplace Pressure… Plan each day’s schedule. Take your breaks and mealtimes away from your desk or workstation. Get some physical exercise or rest time depending on what your job requires – doing the opposite of what you normally do relieves stress. A mental vacation – thinking of something other than your immediate task – can provide your mind a quick rest from the immediate pressure of the job. Keep a positive attitude as it will help your energy level and help those around you be easier to work with. Do hard or important tasks first, so they do not begin to build to a high stress level as the day moves on. Most important… do meaningful work that you enjoy.

Daily Travels… Vary your route to the job to make your travel more interesting. Studies indicate that talk radio and news cause stress in many people, so listen to music or listen to personal improvement/self-help tapes. Understand there will be commute delays – plan for them mentally: meditate, visualize, relax. Use airport delays to catch up on reading, phone calls or paperwork. Think of a red traffic light as a green light; it is not there to stop you, it is there to allow you to proceed safely. Start your travel early or on time depending on traffic, road construction or weather – being late causes stress.

Holidays, Weddings, Funerals… They bring out the best and worst in people. Do not set expectations so high. Go with the flow. A warm, positive attitude on your part goes a long way toward making stressful situations a lot more tolerable for others. Most people think and expect these times should be a certain way. When things turn out differently than expected, those involved become stressed. Be the one to reduce stress.

Health Problems… A healthy body makes for a very healthy mind. Exercise! Get a

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