Manage Stress

Use the tools presented earlier in this guide to manage stress.

*  Be physically active.

*  Dispute unhelpful thoughts.

*  Create a healthy food environment. When stressed, it may be tough to avoid unhealthy food options that are within arm’s reach.

*  Listen to music. Or, learn an instrument, write music or lyrics, or sing. These can all help you release tension.

Make a Laugh Manual

Create a notebook with funny cartoons, jokes, pictures, and other things that make you laugh. Cut and paste funny things from newspapers or magazines. Print funny things from the internet. Glue them to the pages in your notebook.

Look at your notebook when you need a tickle! Laughter is good medicine. Laughter:

*  Releases endorphins. This helps you feel good and can relieve pain.

*  Boosts your immune system, helping you fight infection and resist disease.

*  Distracts you from a stressor. When you look at the stressor again, you may view it in a different way and be better prepared to tackle it.

A Sense of Awe

Awe is that feeling you get when you look at a beautiful landscape or colorful fireworks display. Feelings of awe can boost your problem-solving abilities and make you a more critical thinker.

Spend time in nature to get a regular dose of “awe” and a mental boost!

*  Go to a park or walk along a trail.

*  Sit outside to eat lunch.

*  Look at nature photography or landscapes.

*  Visit a lake, river, or other body of water.