Stress

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STRESS

You may find yourself depressed, irritable, despairing or edgy. Or you may find that you can't sleep, concentrate or recall things. You may get headaches. You are in stress.

Unwind, Ease up, Unload

Take a moment to relax

Stress is most damaging if it's unrelenting. Even a few moments of relaxation can help considerably.

Talk it out

If you have more to do than you can realistically handle or too little control over your schedule to get things done, speak up.

Go easy on yourself

If you're in a job where expectations are unrealistic, you'll only feel more stressed if you tell yourself.

Off-load some chores

Studies find that women who work full time outside the home still do more than half the housework, especially such tasks as buying groceries, meal preparation and cleanup and child rearing. Strive for a more even split.

Think before you cut

A common assumption is that every role you take on adds to your stress. But research actually suggests that people with many roles-worker, parent, spouse, community volunteer-fare better. Evidently, the satisfaction you get from one role can buffer the stress that you feel in another.

Exercise, a useful antidote

The satisfaction that you get from outside activities can counter pressures at both home and the office. Exercise burns off stress related chemicals, and it strengthens your heart so that it can withstand the raveges.