Slow traffic. Screaming children. A job interview. Financial worries. A fight with your spouse or partner. Any of these can cause stress. We all face stress in our lives. Some days are more stressful than others. Stress can take a toll on our physical and mental health. Learn more about stress and its effects by taking this quiz.
Meditating for 20 minutes a day may help relieve chronic stress and increase your ability to cope with it. Exercise is another good way to handle stress. Twenty to 30 minutes of exercise each day helps not only your stress level but also your overall health. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider before starting an exercise program. Sharing your problems with others also can help you deal with stress by letting you know you're not alone. Friends and family can give you support when you're feeling under pressure. Other ideas for dealing with stress include learning to say "no" if you feel you have more to do than you can handle; using your imagination to picture how you can manage a stressful situation; tackling one urgent task at a time instead of feeling overwhelmed by many tasks; eating healthy foods and limiting your intake of alcohol and caffeine; and getting enough sleep.