Basic Guidelines for Coping With Stress and Anxiety

1. Recognize and admit that you are feeling stressed and  anxious

2. Become aware of your body's symptoms.
   Don't let them scare you, let them talk to you.

3. Try to pinpoint what it is you are anxious about.

4. What happened yesterday? What were you thinking about before you went to bed? If you can't pinpoint it, don't worry about it and move on.

5. Give yourself permission to feel anxious about whatever  it is that is bothering you. "Of course I feel anxious about  this problem, anyone would. But how much anxiety is too
    much?"

6. If you do know what it is that is bothering you, what can  you do to eliminate or minimize the situation in some way so that it isn't so stressful?

7.  Most importantly, how can you react differently so you won't be so affected by this situation?

8.  Listen to the dialogue within yourself.
   Are you filling yourself full of negative thoughts about a certain situation? What could you say to yourself that would feel more comforting and?

9.  Listen to the dialogue of those around you.
    Is someone around you being negative and dragging you own with them? If so, how could you change your reaction to their negative attitude so that you would be less affected 
   by them?

10.  Are you overwhelming yourself with "shoulds" and high  expectations? If so, which ones would you eliminate?

11.  Are you blaming someone else for your anxieties unhappiness, poor health, lack of success or whatever? 

12. How can you take responsibility for yourself and make some positive changes?

13.  Give yourself positive reinforcement for even the smallest  accomplishments.
    

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