Learn how to cope with stress

Feeling frazzled?
Everyone — adults, teens, and even children — experiences stress at times.
Stress can be beneficial by helping people develop the skills they need to cope with and adapt to new and potentially threatening situations throughout life. However, the beneficial aspects of stress diminish when it is severe enough to overwhelm a person's ability to take care of themselves and their family.
Know your limits. While small amounts of stress are manageable, sometimes it can become overwhelming. Orange Regional Medical Center Primary Care in Middletown, N.Y., recommends that you monitor your mind and body in reaction to stressful life situations.
Common reactions to stress can include:
Tension and irritability
Fear and anxiety
Difficulty making decisions
Loss of interest in normal activities
Loss of appetite
Anger or sadness
Feeling powerless
Sleep problems
Headaches, back pains, and stomach problems
Trouble concentrating
Feeling emotional and nervous or having trouble sleeping and eating can all be normal reactions to stress. However, there are ways to cope. A few small changes in your daily routine can mean a wealth of difference. Engage in healthy activities and getting the right care and support, which can put problems in perspective and help stressful feelings subside in a few days or weeks.
Tips for feeling better Take care of yourself. Eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep.
Talk to others. Share your problems and how you are feeling with a parent, friend, or doctor.
Avoid drugs and alcohol. They create additional problems and increase the stress you are already feeling.
Take a break. If your stress is caused by something you can identify, take a break from it.
Breathe in, breathe out. To practice controlled breathing, take a deep breath, expanding your belly. Pause for a moment before exhaling slowly. Repeat as often as needed.
Source: Orange Regional Medical Center Primary Care: ormc.org.