American Institute of Stress

MedlinePlus: Stress

Video: How to Stay Calm When You Know You'll Be Stressed

Video: How to Make Stress Your Friend

Video: Stress Kills, What Black People Need to Know

Podcast: Invisibillia, science and storytelling for a new perspective

Podcast: The daily meditation

Podcast: Shut up Brain!

Eliminate unnecessary stressors from your life/schedule

Limit energy and time devoted to highly stressful activities, relationships, thoughts

Use time management and organization skills to decrease excess stress

Journal to get stressors down on paper and off your mind

Get plenty of physical activity and movement to release stress and tension

Be aware of your reactions, noticing ways your reactions may be amplifying stress

Take breaks to recharge

Talk to people about your feelings, fears, and uncertainties

Maintain a healthy, balanced diet with regular meals;

Do not attempt to numb your emotional pain with drugs or alcohol

Remember, stress is normal and experienced by everyone

Differentiate between productive and unproductive stress

Recognize ways that stress keeps you energized and motivated

Be curious about reactions to stress, don't avoid the feelings

Instead of getting upset about your body's reactions to stress, recognize them as normal, and appreciate what your body does for you

Give yourself permission to temporarily fall apart, feel rotten, and cry

Soaking in the bathtub

Planning a vacation

Looking through old pictures

Going to a movie

Jogging, walking

Listening to music

Lying in the sun

Volunteering

Reading magazines

Doing a puzzle

Doing chores around the house

Dancing

Getting a massage

Taking care of plants

Going swimming

Doodling

Exercising

Playing a game

Going camping

Singing in the house

Practicing religion/spirituality

Going to the beach

Painting

Going for a drive

Doing arts and crafts

Learning a musical instrument

Making a card or gift for someone

Cooking

Going hiking

Going out to dinner

Joining a book club

Gardening

Going to a play or concert

Making lists

Playing with animals

Encourage your friend to talk to you about how he/she is feeling.

Don't assume a gender difference in how trauma is handled.

Tell your friend how you feel; that you are sorry he/she has been hurt.

Remind your friend that these confusing reactions are normal.

Refrain from trying to make things better. Be willing to say nothing. Just being there may be enough.

If it seems appropriate, offer to make an appointment to go with him/her to the first counseling appointment..

Don't be afraid to ask how a friend is doing, and if he/she answers be prepared to listen.