Stress is an unavoidable part of life. Often, it can feel like daily responsibilities, strains, anxieties, traumas, and pressures leave little room for leisure, rest, relaxation, and recreation. Managing stress today is important because chilling out, lying down and putting your feet up actually help you to reboot and better cope with the stressors of tomorrow.

Research shows that you can actually help train your mind and body to healthily respond to stress and that coping with stress may get easier the more you practice good coping skills. It is important to manage stress in healthful, beneficial and nourishing ways.

You may be able to relax your mind, calm down and lighten up by opening up to family and friends; crying, laughing, talking, smiling, writing in a journal, taking up a hobby or other pleasurable activity, caring for a pet, volunteering in the community, meditating, reflecting, and imagining yourself in a safe, calm place. You may be able to relax your body, unwind and loosen up by exercising, stretching, walking, swimming, doing yoga or tai chi, dancing, singing, breathing deeply, and relaxing your muscles.

Managing stress also means working to steer clear of situations, people and behaviors that cause stress. It is important to recognize that you don’t have control over everything, change the things you can and let the rest go. There are many ways to healthily cope with stress, some include: focusing on the good, being positive, finding support in family and friends, maintaining a healthy diet, limiting alcohol, getting a good night’s sleep, creating a purpose-driven life, having a good sense of humor, managing your time, and striking a balance between family, work, friends, self-interests, responsibilities, and relaxation. A psychologist can help you find ways to manage your stress.