How to Cope with Stress the HEALTHY way!. 1. Don’t let stress take over! Some stress is good –...

How to Cope with Stress

the HEALTHY way!

1. Don’t let stress take over!

• Some stress is good – it can keep you motivated and focused. But too much stress can negatively affect you.

• Sometimes people try to deal with stress by doing things that make it worse – like using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

2. Identify your stressors

• Some stressors might include:– Being busy– Not getting enough sleep– Pressure from school or work– Family problems– Trouble with friends or a

boyfriend/girlfriend– Struggles with personal identity– Financial struggles

3. Recognize the signs of stress.• Some signs of too much stress

include:– Feeling anxious, nervous or tired– Difficulty concentrating– Forgetfulness– Getting sick more than usual– Feeling depressed or overwhelmed

4. Identify what you can control – and what you can’t.• Some things that cause stress are

easy to change• Ask yourself: Is this important to me? – If it’s not important – forget about it!

• Ask yourself: Can I control this?– If you can’t control it, why worry? – Can you change the situation somehow

so that you can control it?

5. Slow down and take time for yourself!• Having too much to do is a huge cause of

stress. – Consider cutting things out of your schedule– Eliminate “time zappers” like

Facebook/Twitter– Be okay with saying “no”

• Do things that you enjoy and help you relax

• Spend some time by yourself

6. Get stress-free with CHWB!• The Center for Health and Wellbeing

has a lot of resources that can help you learn to cope with your stress.– Relaxation training– Physical activity/nutrition education–Meditation– Referrals for Mental Health/Counseling

Center

• How to contact CHWB–Website:

http://www.health.umd.edu/chwb– Email: chwb@health.umd.edu– Phone: 301.314.1493– Drop in: 0121 Eppley Recreation

CenterMon-Thur 9am-7pmFriday 9am-5pm