How to Set Up a Stress Management Program

Stress is normal physical and mental response to events in our lives. Small doses of stress can motivate us at times, but a person who experiences constant stress may require a stress management program. Stressors can derive from family problems, employment, marriage or personal issues. Creating a personal stress management program will lead to reduced stress. Consult a doctor if stress becomes too much to manage on your own.

Instructions

• 1

  Make a list of your stressors.

  Determine the sources of stress that have affected you. Make a list of reasons why you may feel stress, whether the reasons have to do with school, employment, family, relationships or other personal reasons. Confronting the problems allows you to focus on possible resolutions. Decide whether there are ways to permanently fix stressors (like solving a relationship issue or utilizing a time management program). If there are no tangible ways to fix the issues by eliminating stressors, develop ways to handle to stress.

• 2

  Write your feelings in a journal.

  Write about your problems. Purchase a journal that will specifically enable you to write down your thoughts, stressors and desires. Keep this journal private (unless you plan on showing it to a therapist) and turn to it when daily for just a few moments. According to Psychology Today's website, writing for just a few minutes a day can significantly improve a person's mental and emotional health.

• 3

  Working out helps to balance stress levels.

  Exercise regularly and develop a workout program that is specific to your body's needs. It may not be to lose weight or gain muscle; simply moving your body can be good for you. According to the Mayo Clinic website, working out can reduce stress by releasing endorphins and providing a meditation-like experience. Visit a local gym and talk to an instructor about what will benefit your body type. If you don't want to join a gym, scout out a local park or yoga facility that will help you get moving.

• 4

  Find time to do what you enjoy.

  Find time for yourself. Make sure that you are doing something, even if it is only for half an hour per day, that makes you happy. This could be a hobby, meeting with a friend for coffee, or taking a silent walk alone. Make sure to allow yourself the time you need to exercise, work out or reflect. Manage your time by making a schedule; just as you would go to work on time, make it clear that you will spend some time doing things you enjoy.

• 5

  Finding a healthy hobby can eliminate stress.

  Develop a peaceful hobby that allows you to think about something specific and is exciting to look forward to. According to the website Deal With Stress, gardening, creating art (pottery, painting, creative writing), reading or listening to music can significantly lower stress levels by giving you a distraction from your stressors. Choose a hobby and make time for it in your schedule, from a weekend afternoon to an hour each evening.