Stress can be harmful to your body. Effective handling of stress can help to reduce stress related disorders like hypertension, tension headaches and heart diseases.

Most of us are pretty familiar with the kinds of things that tend to set us off. And that's good. Once you can recognize common sources of stress, you are part of the way there toward dealing with it. Here are some guidelines for handling stress in a healthy way:
 

• If you know you're headed for a stressful situation, first try to avoid it. For instance, if you know there's construction work going on your normal route home, why not take a different road and avoid sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic?

 
 
• This is easier said than done, but try to maintain a sense of humor.
• Take time to relax and unwind. This may take some schedule adjustment with your spouse or with your friends, but it is important to take some time for yourself.
• Avoid making a lot of major changes all at once. If you're expecting a new baby, for instance, it may not be the best time to undertake a major home renovation. Or if you've just started a new job, it may not be the best time to move. While these things can't always be avoided, it's important to maintain perspective.
• Exercise is one of the best ways to reduce stress. It gives you an opportunity to work through muscle tension, but it also helps clear your head. Exercise will also boost your body's resistance to keep stress from attacking you physically.
• Diet is another important way to control stress. Avoid alcohol, sugar and caffeine. All of these things can make you feel better temporarily, but will ultimately bring you down.
• Finally, talk through your problems and concerns. That's what your friends and loved ones are for. It may be easier to talk to a counselor. Keep in mind that talking things through brings them back into perspective. And getting input or feedback from others may be all you need.

Preventing and avoiding stress is one way to deal with it. However, stress also has a way of surprising us. All too often, we are thrown unexpectedly into the middle of a stressful situation. Once we're there, there's no turning back. But there are some things you can do to keep it in check.

• Take deep, cleansing breaths.
• Focus on the positive. Some people even create peaceful mental images to keep their minds from becoming cluttered with unnecessary stress.
• Relax your muscles. If you find yourself entering a stressful environment, one of the worst things you can do to your body is to tense up.
• Have confidence in yourself. Believe that you can get through the stressful situation.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM