Stress & Relaxation Resources

Self Help Resources  Stress & Relaxation

Stress & Relaxation Resources

  • A "Prezi" on Stress Management
    • Once in the presentation, expand to "full screen." This presentation allows you to go at your own pace: click on the forward arrow each time you wish to advance.

  • Padlet: Stress Less- useful information, tips, videos on stress and relaxation

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    Stress Management Video

    Twenty Self-Help Suggestions

    Take on a Coping Attitude

    • Although you are unlikely to change all of the problem areas in your life, you will always be able to control how you cope with them.
    • A coping attitude focuses on the choices we have available to us, even if we choose to do nothing at all.

    Learn to Learn

    • Understand that productive living is achieved through the application of living skills, and all skills can be learned.
    • Concentrate your efforts on learning new, positive skills.

    Hear What Your Body Is Telling You

    • Physical symptoms such as headaches, backpain, and stomach irritation can be signs of chronic stress.
    • Let your body be an HMO for good emotional and physical health.

    Learn How to Use Relaxation Techniques

    • Meditation, imagery, and muscle relaxation can all help to reduce the stress of a fast-paced lifestyle.
    • Choose a technique that fits you and be aware of its importance to your healthy existence.

    Respect Your Feelings

    • Feelings can help guide and motivate us to change problem areas.
    • Feelings deserve attention and validation.

    Benefit from Your Thoughts

    • Thinking guides your behavior.
    • Thinking things out helps us decide if and how we shall act on our feelings.
    • Thinking is a skill which can be developed.

    Practice Assertion

    • Just be yourself.
    • Begin to recognize your thoughts and feelings, pay attention to what they are telling you.
    • Express yourself in an open and straightforward fashion. This will increase the likelihood of others understanding you as well as your feeling understood.

    Confide In a Friend

    • Let yourself share your thoughts and feelings with others whom you trust.
    • If it is difficult for you to share feelings, let your friends know.
    • Friendship and social support can be very helpful during life crises.

    Come Face to Face with Your Problems

    • As difficult as it might seem, confronting problems can provide opportunities for change and greater awareness.
    • Try to view your problems as challenges which will ultimately improve your life.

    Attempt to Solve Your Problems

    • Answers to life problems require consideration and the weighing of alternate solutions.
    • There is seldom one simple, correct answer.
    • Observe how valued others solve their problems.
    • Remember to assume a "coping" attitude.
    • Solving problems is a skill that improves with practice.

    Act on Your Solutions

    • Decide what action you are going to take even if you aren't sure about the results.
    • Consider coming to some resolution of your dreams as well as your problems.

    Make Mistakes

    • Attempt to learn from your mistakes.
    • Remember that mistakes reflect behaviors not your personality, so just because you make a mistake doesn't mean you are one.
    • Allow yourself to take risks and realize that making mistakes is a normal part of life.

    Employ a Self-Help List

    • Develop a list of things to do which will help you feel better when feeling disturbed or helpless.
    • Consider things which have been helpful in similar situations. Some suggestions are exercising, a soothing shower or bath, talking with a trusted friend, watching a movie, etc.
    • Be sure to keep the list with you in case you need to use it.
    • Maintain and upgrade the list as you begin to explore new ways of helping yourself cope with adversity.

    Concentrate on Yourself

    • Know what your needs are and respect them.
    • Allow yourself space to be creative. Try new things to make life exciting.
    • Make a point to indulge yourself on occasion. Even little things like getting a massage or going out to dinner can make you feel better.

    Respect Others

    • Recognize and pay attention to the needs of others.
    • Kindness breeds kindness. It is likely that if you show love to others they will reciprocate.
    • Caring sometimes involves taking risks.

    Plan Goals for Your Future

    • Know where you are going.
    • Develop a list of objectives and create a general timeline for their achievement.
    • Imagine what your life will be like after accomplishing these goals.

    Recognize the Importance of Time Management

    • Prioritize your daily activities so that the most important steps toward your future are taken first.
    • Understand that people do not find time, they make it.
    • Take time to make time.

    Have Fun

    • Set aside time for open, spontaneous, and imaginative play.
    • Explore new activities.
    • Engage in practiced activities which are gratifying.

    Seek Assistance

    • Getting help is a healthy choice if things are going badly and you believe you could benefit from it.
    • Realize that we can't always do it alone - we all get help sometimes.

    Give Change a Chance

    • Express your real feelings.
    • Allow yourself to experience some anxiety - it motivates change.
    • Trust your counselor - he/she is there to help you.

    Books

    Apps for Relaxation and Stress Management

    Self Help Resources  Stress & Relaxation