Manage your stress: Tips from our friends at Cerner

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It is important to know how to recognize high stress levels and take action to handle stress in healthy ways. Being able to control stress is a learned behavior. It can be effectively managed by taking small steps toward changing unhealthy behaviors. 

Use the prompts below to learn how to manage your stress. 

Understand how you stress

Everyone experiences stress differently. How do you know when you are stressed? How are your thoughts or behaviors different from times when you do not feel stressed?

Identify your sources of stress

What events or situations trigger stressful feelings? Are they related to your children, family, health, financial decisions, work, relationships, or something else?

Learn your own stress signals

People experience stress in different ways. You may have a hard time concentrating or making decisions. You can feel angry or irritable, or experience headaches, muscle tension, or a lack of energy. What are your signals?

Recognize how you deal with stress

Determine if you are using unhealthy behaviors (such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and over- or undereating) to cope. Is this a routine behavior, or is it specific to certain events or situations? Do you make unhealthy choices because of feeling rushed and overwhelmed?

Find healthy ways to manage stress

Consider healthy, stress-reducing activities such as meditation, exercising, or talking things out with friends or family. Keep in mind that unhealthy behaviors develop over time and can be difficult to change. Don’t take on too much at once. What healthy behavior will you try?

Take care of yourself

Eat right, get enough sleep, drink plenty of water, and engage in regular physical activity. Ensure you have a healthy mind and body through activities like yoga, taking a short walk, or going to the gym. Take regular vacations or other breaks from work. No matter how hectic life gets, make time for yourself even if it’s just simple things like reading a good book or listening to your favorite music. How will you take care of yourself?

Reach out for support

Accepting help from supportive friends and family can improve your ability to manage stress. If you continue to feel overwhelmed by stress, you may want to talk to a mental health professional who can help you better manage stress and change unhealthy behaviors. Who is your support system?

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