Stressed? Try This

If you’re feeling stressed, learn from research at the University of Cincinnati that looked at ways college students could unwind and unfrazzle. The study was published in the Journal of Happiness & Well-Being.

Immediate actions

*  Stop, pause and breathe: Slow down, take deep breaths, and count backward from 10.

*  See the bigger picture: Ask yourself if this is a big deal or not.

*  Contact a friend: Everybody has a phone. Call someone who can listen.

Long-term actions

*  Diet and exercise: If you’re eating healthy and being active, you’ll tend to have lower stress levels overall. Exercise burns off negative energy. And the right food in moderation helps you avoid feeling weighed down.

*  Daily “me time”: Take time, even just 10 minutes, and go outside, walk, enjoy something.

*  Remember to HALT: Take care of 4 things: Make sure you’re not Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired.