Not All Stress Is the Same-Here's How to Manage It All

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Acute Stress

It is the type of stress that throws you off-balance momentarily.

It comes on quickly and often unexpectedly and doesn’t last too long, but requires a response and shakes you up a bit, like an argument with someone in your life, or an exam for which you don’t feel adequately prepared.

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Dealing with acute stress

Breathing Exercises: Great for acute stress because they work quickly.
Cognitive Reframing: Learn to change the way you look at the situation to manage your stress levels.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation: It will give you a moment to regroup and calm down.
Mini-Meditation: Take breathing exercises a step further with this quick, 5-minute meditation technique to calm down in the moment.

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Chronic Stress

It's the type of stress that tends to occur on a regular basis.

This type of stress may leave you feeling drained, and can lead to burnout if it’s not effectively managed. This is because, when the stress response is chronically triggered and the body is not brought back to a relaxed state before the next wave of stress hits, the body can stay triggered indefinitely.

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Dealing with chronic stress

Exercise regularly.
Maintain a Healthy Diet: Fueling your body well can help with overall stress levels because your entire system will function better.
Having a solid support system is a crucial coping mechanism.
Meditate Regularly: While quick meditations are great for dealing with acute stress, a regular meditation practice will help build your overall resilience to stress.
Music can act as a wonderful, stress-reducing backdrop to everyday tasks.

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Emotional Stress

The pain of emotional stress can hit harder than some other types of stress.

For example, the stress that comes from a conflicted relationship tends to bring a greater physical reaction and a stronger sense of distress than the stress that comes from being busy at work.

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Dealing with emotional stress

Write in a Journal: There are several different journaling strategies to try, all with benefits.
Talk to a Friend: Learn about the several different types of social support friends can offer you.
Listen to Music
Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness can help keep you rooted in the present moment.
Talk to a Therapist.

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Battling Burnout

It is the result of the prolonged chronic stress of situations that leave people feeling a lack of control in their lives.

Once you reach a state of burnout, it is difficult to maintain motivation to work and accomplish what you need to accomplish, and you can feel chronically overwhelmed.

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Dealing with burnout

Take Some Time Off: If you never take your vacation time, here's why you should start.
Get More Laughter Into Your Life: Laughter can lead to better overall health and bring joy into your day.
Indulge in Hobbies: Don't wait until your life calms down to engage in your hobbies.
Get More Enjoyment Out of Your Current Job: If you landed in a job you don't love, all is not lost. Learn how to make your job more fulfilling.
Make Your Weekends Count: Learn how to bring some of your weekend into your work week for less stress.

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