5 ways to manage stress

People are constantly asking me how I manage my stress load. This is an important task to accomplish because too much stress can bring on a seizure for me. My daily life consists of very little time to sit and relax. On a normal weekday I have on average 3 classes and work at night. When I'm not in class, I'm either at the library, food court catching a quick bite to eat, in my apartment, or in one of the buildings I have classes in. At the end of the week, on Sunday, I will have had worked 2 part-time jobs equaling on average 35-40 hours. In addition, I carry 16 hours of classes at school. If I don't manage stress, stress will overwhelm me.

1) DEFINE YOUR GOALS. Everyone has goals in life they want to achieve at some point. Some want a college degree, a family, and eventually children. Others may want to travel the world and explore as much as they can see. Wherever your goals take you, remember one thing: if you set them too high, or too low, they run the risk of never being achieved. Set yourself realistic goals: If you want to publish a novel, then have a chapter down every 2 months.

2) EXERCISE. Exercise plays a big role in my life. At Walmart, I am constantly lifting heavy items at the register for customers. As a sales associate for 5 years, I did it even more so on a daily basis. Whenever I have the chance, I am normally walking to my classes. Studies show that walking only 20 minutes a day can help reduce stress. I walk much more than this, so I'm sure I'm managing my stress well. Yoga is a good form of exercise that reduces stress, while aerobic exercise also helps calm the nervous system.

3) BE OPTIMISTIC. Studies have shown that those that have a positive attitude are more successful. It's also a good idea to avoid, or manage well, being around negative people. For myself, this will always be a love-hate relationship I have to deal with in my family. I remain optimistic because I have seen the alternative, and my motto has always been to never take life too seriously.

4) RELAX. At the end of the day, pull up a chair and put on some relaxing music. Read a magazine or go out with friends for a night on the town. Don't forget to laugh and have and have a good time. Life is too short to be taken serious all the time. Enjoy yourself, and embrace life as it comes at you.

5) SLEEP. Finally, get enough sleep at night. If you're only getting 4-5 hours each night, then you're going to be exhausted and stressed out. It's recommended that people get 8 hours, but everyone is different. I usually do just fine with 7, and then there's nights I sleep 10 hours. If you get REM sleep a few times a week, which is where you dream, this is considered to be very healthy. This can help bring your stress level down considerably.