F Y I - FOR YOUR INFORMATION - HELPFUL HINTS

STEPS TO REDUCING STRESS
  1. ACCEPT THINGS THAT ARE UNCHANGEABLE. Accept your limitations -- you are only human.
  2. BE AWARE OF YOUR BODY. Listen to what your body tells you. Pain and illness are your body telling you something is wrong.
  3. REMEMBER -- YOU ALWAYS HAVE CHOICES. Remember the old joke, Patient: " doctor it hurts when I do this". Doctor: "then don't do that".
  4. USE POSITIVE SELF TALK. There are enough people in this world who will put you down and insult you, why put yourself down? Be nice to yourself, compliment yourself.
  5. SCHEDULE TIME FOR YOURSELF. Make time for relaxation before you make time for anything else.
  6. TALKING CAN REDUCE STRESS. Honestly talk to friends, family and/or professionals.
  7. PROPER BREATHING IS KEY. Breathe slow and deep. (Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.)
  8. VISUALIZATION. Imagine a calm, relaxing sight--see yourself overcoming your stressful demands successfully.
  9. ADOPT WELLNESS HABITS. Practice proper diet habits, exercise regularly and reduce use of nicotine, drugs and alcohol.
  10. VISIT YOUR COUNSELING CENTER FOR MORE INFORMATION. If you are not ready to talk to someone, at least pick up printed information to get the facts.