Take care of yourself

Not everything is in your control. A good strategy to manage stressful situations that you can't change is to prepare yourself.

• Get enough sleep. A well-rested body deals with stress better than an exhausted one.
• Exercise regularly. Moving your body reduces stress by releasing tension and increasing endorphins.
• Limit alcohol use. Alcohol is a depressant and will make your stress feel larger and harder to tackle.
• Eat a healthy diet. A healthy body absorbs stress better than an unhealthy one.
• Do at least one thing you enjoy every day. Fun time reduces worry time.
• Spend time with loved ones. It'll remind you of what's really important.
• Ask for help. Sometimes we just can't deal with everything ourselves. Seeking help from others isn't a sign of weakness but a healthy move of connection and trust.

And always talk to your doctor if you need professional counseling or a quality stress management program.