Mar 05 2009
Simple Ways to Manage Stress
During the recovery phase, after an illness or flare-up, we often experience a certain amount of stress. We have to face the piles of tasks waiting to be done, and this can be very stressful! Today I would like to address how to take deal with this stress. Stress is a huge part of our every day lives, too.
There is good and bad stress…and even stress brought on by happy events, such as weddings and the birth of a baby! Chronic illness, too, brings on its own amounts of stress and frustration. Chronic stress, along with a chronic illness, is a very harmful combination for the body. When living with chronic illness and conditions it’s very important to manage your stress levels.
Here are some helpful ways to manage chronic stress:
1. Take some time to take look at your life and try to better organize your daily routine and activities. Also, plan in advance as much as possible, for instance, choose your outfit for the next day the night before, make your bag lunch ahead of time, etc. This will help you to feel more in control of your daily schedule and other areas of your life.
2. Learn to say no. Understand what you’re capable of doing and what you have time to do, and then say no to any further obligations. This will also help you to feel more in control of your life and activities.
3. When you’re angry, slowly count to 10 before making any response. This can be hard, but better to do this and keep control of your stress and your reactions. It will save your body, but also might save your relationships!
4. Daily exercise can help to use up energy that would go toward being stressed. It helps to lessen the amount of the stress hormone, cortisol, in your system.
5. Take up activities and hobbies you enjoy! This helps you to have and maintain a positive attitude, and have interaction with others. Plus, it lends some enjoyment to your life-and gives you something to look forward to!
Managing your stress levels will go a long way towards helping you to feel better and to have a more positive attitude. These will also help to keep your chronic illness under better control and more stable. You can use this list, along with the guidelines for recovery from an illness or flare-up, to aid in the recovery process! 
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