Tips to manage the stress in your life

Stress affects everything—and everyone. The richest man alive will stress about money. A Casanova will stress about love, and the world’s best boss will stress about work. But no matter how universal stress may be, if people don’t address and reduce the stressors in their life, they might find that their health suffers.

Pamela McGarry, a licensed mental health counselor and clinical supervisor with ESI Employee Assistance Group, answers three key questions about stress.

What are the most common stress triggers?

For adults, finances, work, divorce or a relationship ending, elder care or caregiving issues, and serious illness or death of a loved one. It’s important to understand that stress is as individual as we are. Every person has different reactions to stress. Work to identify the source of your stress, and recognize how you respond. Don’t compare yourself to others—everyone handles things differently.

How do we reduce stress?

Getting enough sleep, daily exercise, maintaining a healthy diet (water, fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein), finding support through close friendships and family, and finding a hobby you enjoy (gardening, reading, volunteer work). Learning how to relax is important, and can be found through mindfulness practices such as yoga and meditation.

Is stress preventable?

Employee assistance program counselors are often asked if stress is preventable. Stress can’t be prevented. It’s what drives us, what keeps us alive. There is good stress—the birth of a child, buying a home, or getting a new job—as well as the stress that is not so good. Recognizing the stressors and developing a plan to manage and cope with stress is the challenge.