• Recognizing that stress is inevitable, an essential part of life, and also potentially harmful; you automatically prepare yourself to cope with it.
• Learn to identify signs of stress and their sources. Try to become acquainted with your own stress moods and have a sense of the amount of stress you can manage without energy breakdown.
• Develop the ability to interpret stress events in a positive way. The energy from stress can be channeled into a constructive form and can be a helpful tool to initiate changes in your lifestyle.
• Be aware of your own power. Marcus Aurelius. noted, "If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but due to your estimate of it." You do have the power to control your own stress response.
• Plan your response to stress. Certain events in your life are repeated, and you can learn to anticipate a crisis. Determine that you will manage the next one with greater calmness. Example: You may be able to postpone a decision about moving, changing jobs, etc., until you can handle it better.
• Treat yourself positively. Worry is neither profitable nor constructive. Do what you can about a situation, and then move on to other things. Affirm to yourself that you do your best, that you do all you can, and that things will work out well. Think positively, such as: Today, I will accomplish... This is much better than negative, hand wringing indecisiveness.
• Work on being open and politely assertive. Suppressed feelings, anxieties, self doubts, and low esteem are among major stresses that lead to illness and disease. Expressing feelings in a clear and direct way, nondefensive yet nonthreatening, can be a great tension reliever.
  Develop a repertoire of assertive skills. For example, act on your own best interest. Express emotion. Respect rights and needs of others. Stand up for your rights without fear or anxiety.
• Make your personal guidelines. Don't set self expectations too high or create a state of frustration and time pressure. Re-evaluate your goals periodically. Other examples:
  • Do one thing at a time.
  • Keep some humor.
  • Treat people with respect.
  • Take steps to improve important relationships.
  • Accept the reality of the world.
  • Be in touch with your needs.
  • Remember there are always options.
  • Cultivate your strengths and capitalize on them.
  • Don't look back.
  • Choose to be well.
• Consider changing the part of your life that brings about chronic stress. When all other attempts fail to relieve stress, there may be a need to eliminate the source.

From: University Learning Center Resource File, 1997