Set boundaries.

It can be easy to build your resistance to lots of problems.

Just taking a few simple steps or altering the way you think about things can have positive results.

Here are some ideas that you could try when you feel like things are getting too heavy to handle.

1. Take care of hassles while they are still small.

Things are much easier to sort out before they get out of hand.

Get in the habit of jumping on problems as soon as you realise they are there, that way you could prevent the need to deal with a bigger mess later.

2. Avoid getting caught up in negative thinking. Sometimes when we are faced with a problem it’s easy to start thinking about the worst possible outcome.

 Make a habit of thinking about all of the possible results, including the positive ones, and then aiming for the best

3. Take time to chill out. It’s really important to give your body and mind a break from time to time.

Go out and do something that you enjoy, go to a movie, have a surf, read a book, hit the shops, or just hang out with some friends.

It’s like taking a holiday from your worries.

4. Get lots of sleep. When we sleep our body rebuilds its energy reserves.

If you aren’t getting enough sleep, then your ability to handle stress can be reduced.

5. Don’t use alcohol or drugs as a way of coping. A lot of people decide to get wasted as a way of escaping from their problems.

It can feel good at the time, but when they sober up the problem is still there just like before.

It’s better to try and sort the problem out rather then hide from it.

The more you use substances to cope, the less opportunity you have to develop positive ways of dealing with things.

6. Tell your family or friends about it. It really helps to talk about things with someone who you trust.

Often they have got some good ideas about what you could do.

Sometimes just talking about stuff can help you to get a handle on it in your own mind.

7. Eat healthy food. You are probably sick of people telling you this.

It sounds boring but the thing is that it really does help.

The healthier your body is the more on to it your mind is and the more energy you will have to deal with hassles.

8. Exercise regularly. Regular exercise releases chemicals in your body that can lift your mood and lower the physical effects of stress.

It also burns off a lot of the body chemicals that cause you to feel stressed (eg. adrenaline).

Exercise also releases chemicals called endorphins, which can act as natural anti-depressants.

9. Focus on the positive things in life. Even when things are really crappy there will usually still be some good things going on in your life.

Think about the good bits as much as possible i.e friends, favourite possessions, upcoming events, good memories or even future hopes.

This is a good way to provide some balance or perspective to the stuff that makes you feel badly now.

10. Don’t be afraid to get help from someone else if you need to. Sometimes people try all of this stuff but they still don’t feel much better.

If this sounds like you then it would be worthwhile getting help from somebody.

Essentials

Brace yourself for some rough emotions: try not to shy away from the decisions that may come when having to make changes.

Be ready to compromise: you may have to give up on things in your life you hold dear or close in order to make better changes

Delegate responsibilities: don’t hold too much responsibility in the world, give up what you can & let others pick up the strain you feel.

Ask for help whenever possible: asking for help is hard yet can be the first step to give up the control you hold over yourself & others

Don’t neglect your own health—physical, emotional and mental

Try to keep your sense of perspective: easier said than done, the sun will rise tomorrow, you will get over how you feel today & there will be better days to come. whatever disaster you feel yourself in: look after yourself & talking with other people, good people will always help.

Neil Benbow

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