Stress Tamers

Stress means different things to different people and it can manifest itself in several ways:

1. Physically. Tight shoulders, poor sleep, headaches. Sound familiar?

2. Emotionally. Stress can cause tension, anxiety, sadness, anger … any of a number of negative emotions.

3. Mentally. It can impair your memory and concentration, and your ability to make decisions rationally.

4. Behaviorally. Stress can make you yell at the kids, avoid important tasks, overeat and more.

However stress affects you, it's important to learn how to manage it. You have two options: Reduce stress, or cope with it. Sometimes, though, reducing stress isn't possible. So learning how to cope with it, or how to modify your response to it, is crucial. Especially if you're a "stress eater." Next time you're stressed, try one of these "survival" techniques:

STOP. Take a moment to relax. You may have read about Anchoring, a strategy from Weight Watchers Tools for Living. Using a predetermined cue or trigger, Anchoring can help you get in touch with your inner resource of peace and calm.

TALK. Reach out to friends and family members, who you know you can turn to when times are tough, and tell them what you're going through and how the situation makes you you feel.

LISTEN. Pay attention to self-talk, or the words you use to describe your situation. Positive Self-Talking, another strategy from Weight Watchers Tools for Living, can help you learn how to use words that will not only make you feel better but also keep you motivated.