Self-Defense Against Stress

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You can diminish the harmful effects of stress by using the three Ms of management, monitoring, and maneuvering. We must manage our lives to maintain mental and physical health. This means watching diet and weight, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and using alcohol and drugs sensibly, if at all. Try also to balance work with recreation, set reasonable personal goals, and learn to accept what cannot be changed. Much easier to say than to do, of course, but most of us can manage our lives better than we are. It is also important that we monitor our body signals so we can pick up on early signs of distress—such as stomach tension, headaches, clenched hands, irritability, appetite changes, and difficulty in sleeping. Once you are aware of unwarranted stress on your body, try to maneuver out of your usual reactions with a new flexible attitude.

Ron Pitzer
Family Sociologist

Origninally published in June 1984

College of Human Ecology in cooperation with the University of Minnesota Extension Service

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