Amazing Rainbow

There is no easy answer for how women handle stress. You can't have someone tell you to "do this", and you "do that", and then Poof, your stress magically disappears. It doesn't work that way, at least not for women. They are deep and complex individuals and the answer to resolving stressful issues is usually elusive and often just out of reach.

Stress can keep you off balance, subconsciously searching for that one "Aha" moment when you realize what you must do in order to resolve the situation and easy your discomfort.

Unless you've experienced it you just don't know how debilitating these feelings can be: feelings of constant turmoil and fear. You know, that sick, churning feeling in your gut that just won't go away: feelings of inadequacy, and of responsibilities so overwhelming you're sure you'll never be able to handle it all.

Stress can affect women both physically and mentally. Some of the most common life events that can cause stress are:

• Death of a family member or spouse
• Marriage
• Pregnancy
• Divorce
• Retirement
• Financial worries
• Loss of job
• Serious illness

Stress is different for each and every one of us. It shows up in strange ways and is a force to be reckoned with. For the sake of argument lets consider stress as a scale that becomes out of balance. The demands of our lives begin to outweigh the resources we have to handle those demands.

Each woman has her own set of worries and responsibilities. In order to cope with the onslaught of our daily lives we need to develop some outlet that allows the mind and body to "take five" and step off the roller coaster, if you will, even for a short while. Below are 3 coping skills you must have for self-preservation:

1. Do Something Physical:

Run, swim, walk, play tennis......anything that you really enjoy doing will fit the bill. Run an extra mile that day. Add a few extra laps in the pool. Do whatever it takes to get your body moving and let your mind rest. Exercise also has a calming effect that lasts long after the activity is over. When I am physically tired I find it much easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.

2. Learn How To Relax:

True relaxation is a skill you need to develop. Deep breathing exercises, slow stretches and meditation are a great place to start. They can be done anywhere and don't require any money to enjoy. Relaxation can ease the effects of stress placed on your body, which allows you to think clearer and make better choices.

3. Get Away From Your Stressor:

When your body starts to show signs of distress you should remove yourself from the situation as soon as you possibly can, sit in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Focus on each part of your body, starting from your head and work downward. Think of the tension in that part of your body, take a deep breath, slowly exhale and imagine the stress leaving your body as you exhale. Complete this process with your entire body until you begin to feel calm and centered. Try to remain relaxed for 5-10 minutes.

Although learning how to cope with stress is sometimes not an easy feat, with practice, you can take control of your feelings and get your life back on track. Never give up. Life is just too short not to enjoy it to the fullest.