{"id":9535,"date":"2025-03-01T13:56:01","date_gmt":"2025-03-01T18:56:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/stresstips\/"},"modified":"2025-03-02T00:25:41","modified_gmt":"2025-03-02T05:25:41","slug":"stresstips","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/dpc\/stresstips\/","title":{"rendered":"dpc\/stresstips ~  Stress Tips  &#8211; Delaware Health and Social Services &#8211; State of Delaware"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-swiftype-index=\"true\">\n\n\n\n\n\n  <br>\n\n\n  \n\n\n\n\n\n  \n\n\n  <div class=\"container\" id=\"main_header\">\n\n\n    \n\n\n\n\n\n <!-- BEGIN readspeaker div -->\n\n\n    <div class=\"rs_skip rsbtn rs_preserve\" id=\"readspeaker_button1\">\n\n\n      <a accesskey=\"L\" class=\"rsbtn_play\" href=\"https:\/\/app-na.readspeaker.com\/cgi-bin\/rsent?customerid=7262&#038;lang=en_us&#038;readid=main_content&#038;url=https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/dpc\/stresstips.html\" title=\"Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker\">\n\n\n        <span class=\"rsbtn_left rsimg rspart\"><span class=\"rsbtn_text\"><span>Listen<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n\n\n        <span class=\"rsbtn_right rsimg rsplay rspart\"><\/span>\n\n\n      <\/a>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <!-- END readspeaker div -->\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n    \n\n\n    <header class=\"pull-left\">\n\n\n      <h1><!--[type=EDIT name=\"Page Title\"]--><\/h1><h1>Tips For Managing Stress In Your Life<\/h1><h1><!--[END]--><\/h1>\n\n\n    <\/header>\n\n\n    \n\n\n  <\/div><br>\n\n\n \n\n\n  <div class=\"container\">\n\n\n    <div class=\"row\">\n\n\n      <div class=\"col-md-3\" id=\"leftCol\">\n\n\n        <div class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\">\n\n\n          <div class=\"panel sectionmenu_panel\">\n\n\n            <div class=\"panel-heading\">\n\n\n              <p class=\"panel-title\"><a class=\"agency_nav\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapseOne\"><strong><i class=\"fa fa-align-justify fa-fw\"><\/i> Public Health Menu<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n            <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n            <div class=\"panel-collapse collapse in\" id=\"collapseOne\">\n\n\n              <div class=\"panel-body\" id=\"clf_nav\">\n\n\n                  <ul class=\"nav nav-stacked nav-pills-clf\" id=\"agency_sidebar\">\n    <li><a href=\"\/dph\/\"><h2>Home <i class=\"fa fa-home fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a><\/li>\n    <li class=\"toplevel\"><a data-parent=\"#agency_sidebar\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#HomeMenu\"><h2>About <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\n      <ul class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"HomeMenu\">\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/about.html\">About DPH<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/sections.html\">Sections &#038; Programs<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/ofclocations.html\">Office Locations<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/contact.html\">Contact Info<\/a><\/li>\n      \n        <li><a href=\"\/calendars.html\" target=\"_blank\">Calendar<\/a><\/li>\n      <\/ul>\n    <\/li>\n    <li class=\"toplevel\"><a data-parent=\"#sidebar\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#ServicesMenu\"><h2>Services <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\n      <ul class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"ServicesMenu\">\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/servicesaz.html\">A-Z Services<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/environmental.html\">Air &#038; Water Quality<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/ss\/vitalstats.html\">Birth, Death, &#038; Marriage Records<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/clinics.html\">Clinics<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/healthdatastats.html\">Health Data &#038; Statistics<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/php\/emsps.html\">Emergency Preparedness<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/healthandwellness.html\">Health &#038; Wellness<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/healthyhomes.html\">Healthy Homes<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/healthywp.html\">Healthy Workplaces<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/lab\/labs.html\">Laboratory<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/feir.html\">Restaurant Inspections<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/screen.html\">Screening and Testing<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/chca\/dphwichominf01.html\">WIC<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/servicesadd.html\">Additional Services<\/a><\/li><li>\n      <\/li><\/ul>\n    <\/li>\n    <li class=\"toplevel\"><a data-parent=\"#sidebar\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#InformationMenu\"><h2>Information <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\n        <ul class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"InformationMenu\">\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/factsheetsaz.html\">A-Z Fact Sheets<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/pubreportsaz.html\">A-Z Publications &#038; Reports<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/diseasesandconditions.html\">Diseases &#038; Conditions<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/faq.html\">FAQ&#8217;s<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/php\/alerts.html\">Health Alerts<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/healthylifestyles.html\">Healthy Lifestyles<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hipaa.html\">HIPAA<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/regs.html\">Regulations<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/forms.html\">Request Forms<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/links.html\">Links &#038; Resources<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"http:\/\/delaware.gov\/help\/foia_request.shtml\">FOIA Request Form<\/a><\/li>\n      <\/ul>\n    <\/li>\n    <li><a id=\"SocialMenuHeader\"><h2>Connect <i class=\"fa fa-thumbs-o-up fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\n      <ul id=\"SocialMenu\">\n        <li class=\"facebook\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DEPublicHealth\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Division of Public Health Facebook Page\"><i class=\"fa fa-facebook-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Facebook<\/a><\/li>\n        <li class=\"twitter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Delaware_DHSS\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Delaware Health and Social Services Twitter Account\"><i class=\"fa fa-twitter-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Twitter<\/a><\/li>\n        <!-- <li class=\"googleplus\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-google-plus-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Google +<\/a><\/li>\n        <li class=\"flickr\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-flickr fa-lg\"><\/i> Flickr<\/a><\/li>\n        <li class=\"youtube\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-youtube-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Youtube<\/a><\/li>\n        <li class=\"instagram\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-instagram fa-lg\"><\/i> Instagram<\/a><\/li>\n        <li class=\"linkedin\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-linkedin-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Linkedin<\/a><\/li>\n        <li class=\"pinterest\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-pinterest-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Pinterest<\/a><\/li> -->\n      <\/ul>\n    <\/li>\n  <\/ul>\n\n\n              <\/div>\n\n\n            <\/div>\n\n\n          <\/div>\n\n\n        <\/div><br>\n\n\n      <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n      <div class=\"col-md-9\" id=\"main_content\"> \n\n\n  <!--[type=HTMLEDIT name=\"Content\"]-->\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2>Plan Ahead To Avoid Stress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Several major projects or events happening at the same time can cause a great deal of stress; so learn to plan ahead and space events and activities to allow yourself breathing room.<\/strong><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo: Using planning calendar to prevent stress\" class=\"img-thumbnail img-responsive\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/dph\/img\/planningcalendar.gif\" style=\"float: right;\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2>Learn and Practice Time Management Skills<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Taking a good time management seminar\u2014and then practicing what you learn\u2014can help prevent stress.\u00a0 Keep a daily &#8220;Top 10&#8221; list of the things you need to do, in order of priority; then complete each item, in order, before you move on to the next item.\u00a0\u00a0That way,\u00a0your most important tasks will be finished first\u2014and if you don&#8217;t finish a low priority job, it can be carried over to your list for the next day.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2>Take Appropriate Action<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Taking action is important; but taking appropriate action is more important.\u00a0\u00a0Obtain and use the right tools.\u00a0 Make sure you&#8217;re dealing with <em>root problems<\/em> and not just symptoms of problems.\u00a0 Don&#8217;t wait to be motivated; take a first step.\u00a0 Action can lead to motivation.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2>Put Things in Perspective<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ask yourself, \u00a0&#8220;Tomorrow, will this really matter?\u00a0 In a month, will this really matter?&#8221; \u00a0If the answer is &#8220;yes,&#8221; take appropriate action.\u00a0 If the answer is &#8220;no,&#8221; why are you getting stressed about it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2>See Changes As Opportunities Rather Than Threats<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Whenever there&#8217;s a major change in your life, it can seem threatening; but try to turn things around and look for opportunities the new situation might create for you.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2>Work Toward Realistic Goals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Goal setting can be helpful in managing stress; but always remember to make your goals both challenging and realistic.\u00a0 If they&#8217;re not challenging, you don&#8217;t feel a sense of accomplishment when you complete them.\u00a0 On the other hand, unrealistic goals can never be met and will lead to a sense of failure and low self esteem.\u00a0 Be goal oriented, but not goal dominated.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2>Develop or Practice a Hobby<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>You can channel the energy from the stress response into positive activities like hobbies, home or office projects, or exercise.\u00a0 Staying active will reduce the effects of stress, and you&#8217;ll have fun doing it!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2>Walk, Bicycle, Swim and Play<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.getupanddosomething.org\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Logo: Get Upand Do Something campaign\" class=\"img-thumbnail img-responsive\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/dph\/img\/getuplogo_sm.jpg\" style=\"float: left;\"><\/a> <strong>In other words, be <em>active<\/em> . Work off that stress, and build resistance at the same time. Do things that are fun and that you&#8217;re willing to do for the rest of your life. Try to get at least 20 to 30 minutes of physical activity a day, at least 5 or 6 days a week.\u00a0 Be more active every day:\u00a0 take stairs instead of elevators; walk to the corner store; walk your dog; or take a walk with your family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2>Eat Regular, Healthy Meals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The stress response can trigger hunger; and many people turn to food or alcohol as methods of coping with stress.\u00a0 That can lead to weight or alcohol problems.\u00a0 When you&#8217;re under stress, it&#8217;s important to keep your body and its immune system strong.\u00a0 So eat regular, healthy meals and follow the dietary guidelines recommended on this site.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2>Think About Your Values<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Strong values help you to cope with stress.\u00a0 Think about what&#8217;s really important to you, and develop a foundation of values and purpose in life.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2>Talk Out Your Troubles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>It really does help to talk to someone. Build a network of supportive family and friends. If you don&#8217;t feel comfortable talking to anyone close to you, talk to a counselor.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2>Become a Good Listener<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Being a good listener is one of life&#8217;s important skills; it helps prevent misunderstanding and helps build friendships.\u00a0 Poor communication is a major cause of stress, so learn how to talk, write, and listen effectively.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2>Take Breaks and Vacations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Remember, stress is often called the &#8220;fight or <em>flight<\/em> response.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0 It&#8217;s probably not a good idea to flee from problems; but it <em>is<\/em> often a good idea to take a break.\u00a0 Research shows that people who take regular breaks and vacations are more productive than those who work straight through without breaks.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2>Get a Good Night&#8217;s Sleep<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A good night&#8217;s sleep is important for managing stress.\u00a0 Try to relax before sleeping to improve the quality of your sleep.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2>Learn To Relax Or Meditate<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo: Meditation canhelp reduce stress\" class=\"img-thumbnail img-responsive\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/dph\/img\/meditationlotus.gif\" style=\"float: right;\"><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Relaxation doesn&#8217;t come naturally, especially when you&#8217;re under stress.\u00a0 Tension is part of the body&#8217;s natural response to stress.\u00a0 You can significantly reduce the impact of stress by learning relaxation skills such as progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, massage, mental imagery, deep breathing, or certain types of yoga.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2>Use Your Creativity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Yesterday&#8217;s solutions probably won&#8217;t solve the problems of tomorrow.\u00a0 We need to be creative\u2014to try new ways of solving problems.\u00a0 There is creativity within all of us. \u00a0Bring out <em>your<\/em> creativity by experimenting, asking lots of questions, and playing around with ideas.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2>Laugh, Develop a Positive Sense Of Humor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Laughter may not be the &#8220;best&#8221; medicine, but it is a real tool for reducing stress and having a better quality of life.\u00a0 Laugh with people, not at them.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2>Put FUN Back In Your Life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>When you were children, you played and had fun. Those are important traits for life; don&#8217;t lose them.\u00a0 Put fun back in your life!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"stress.html\">Return to Main Stress Page.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n  <!--[END]-->\n\n\n  \n\n\n      <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><!-- \/container -->\n\n\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Listen Tips For Managing Stress In Your Life Public Health Menu Home About About DPH Sections &#038; Programs Office Locations Contact Info Calendar Services A-Z Services Air &#038; Water Quality Birth, Death, &#038; Marriage Records Clinics Health Data &#038; Statistics Emergency Preparedness Health &#038; Wellness Healthy Homes Healthy Workplaces Laboratory Restaurant Inspections Screening and Testing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":9401,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-9535","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9535","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9535"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9535\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10774,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9535\/revisions\/10774"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9401"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9535"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}