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For immediate release:  August 6 , 2007 (Clyde, NC)

Saddled with Stress? Time to Decompress

If life’s a party, how come you’re in charge of planning, decorations, entertainment, and cleanup? Having so many responsibilities in life can lead to stress. But stress doesn’t have to spoil your fun. Here are ways to keep stress under control:

• Change your nickname from Ms. Perfect to Ms. Good-Enough. Allow yourself to goof up. Focus on what you do well—and give yourself a standing ovation.

• Are you a nurturer? If so, take some time to baby yourself for a change. Find quiet time for yourself every day, even if it means retreating to the bathroom with earplugs.

• Know when to say “no.” It’s just one syllable, so why is it so hard to say? Learn to say no to others when you already have too much to do—even if it makes them sour for a while.

Kathy Keogh, RN, Health Promotions Coordinator with Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center suggests softening the response by saying, "Thank you for thinking of me" to acknowledge their point of view but follow with a polite response of ‘no’ without apology. “Assertive communication allows you to make your needs known without hurting your relationships with others,” she said. 

• Nab the culprits in writing. Jot down everything that makes you stressed—your boss, your sister, or your barking dog. Review the list and remember it’s OK that you can’t get a leash on it all. But if there is something you can change, such as your marathon work hours, do it!

• Is money—or its magical vanishing act—making you stressed? Decide how much you can spend on food, gifts, and other items before you go shopping. Build a budget and try to stick to it.

• Even superheroes have backup. Talking to a pal can stop you from feeling like a green monster and more like a human being again.

• Stress is a laughing matter. Asking yourself, “How could this be worse?” and coming up with some funny answers may help you keep it in perspective.

• If you still can’t spin out of the stress cycle, consider talking with a counselor about your concerns.

For more information about how to manage stress in your life, contact Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center Health Promotions Department at 452-8088. 

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