7 Stress Management Techniques Successful People Swear By

7 Stress Management Techniques Successful People Swear By Sheryl Sandberg turns off her phone at night to prevent herself from staying up scrolling through emails or checking social media and enaya that she gets a good nights sleep. YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki takes a break from stressful situations by taking time off to spend with her family. Oprah Winfrey spends some time meditating every morning.A little anxiety is good for you. It motivates you to work harder and accomplish what you need and want to do. But too much stress and anxiety can be overwhelming and take a toll on your mental health, not to mention your physical health and well-being. (If youre experiencing that rapid heart rate, fight-or-flight response around the clock, for instance, thats too much)Here are seven stress management techniques successful people use to relax and cope with every day stressors. Try them out yourselftheyll not only help you manage stress, but improve your health and well-being overall1. Creat e a routine.Creating a routine for the small decisions you have to make every daysuch as what to wear, what to eat, when to sleep, when to answer your emails, and so oncan keep you from getting overwhelmed when you have to make the bigger decisions that really matter.Thats why Barack Obama became accustomed to wearing only gray or blue suits. Im trying to pare down decisions, he told Vanity Fair in 2012. I dont want to make decisions about what Im eating or wearing. Because I have too many other decisions to make.2. Stay positive.It may sound a little cheesy, and is probably easier said than done, but maintaining a positive attitude can lead to stress reduction and go a long way in improving your mental health.If you have a tendency to view the glass as half full, it may be difficult to immediately jump into a Pollyanna mentality. Start small by reframing your negative thoughts and negative self-talk. Instead of feeling like a complete failure when something doesnt go the way you ho ped it would, think about what you might learn from the experience and how it can help you grow.You wont gain anything by perseverating on the stressful situation and how it didnt go the way you wanted it to. Youll probably feel worse. Reframing is a good coping technique that can not only reduce your stress level in the moment, but can also help you plan out the next steps for resolving the situation or improving upon it the next time something similar happens.3. Practice mindfulness and meditation.Oprah swears by meditation. Other successful people rely on meditation as a major relaxation technique as well.Getting into the practice of taking a few minutes to understand your thoughts and focus on deep breathing can help you manage stress throughout your life. (In fact, even taking a few deep breaths can provide immediate relief and reduce the physical effect of stress in the moment.If youre having trouble dismissing negative self-talk and presistent thoughts, try taking a class on meditation or listening to a guided meditation tape. Many people have trouble with the practice when they get started, and it can be helpful to have an experienced professional guide you through it.4. Express gratitude for what you have.Again, this may seem hokey, especially if youre a particularly pragmatic person, but according to research from the University of California, Irvine, people who practice gratitude substantially lowered their levels of stress and anxiety and saw an overall improvement in their mood. According to UC Irvines findings, expressing gratitude reduces the stress hormone cortisol by 23%.So take a break from the stressors in your life and add being thankful to your to-do list. It will work best if you dont just use it selectively as a way to cope with stress as with happens express gratitude for things you appreciate every day. You can make sure you have time for this important relaxation technique by starting every morning with a few minutes of gratitude. You ll likely see a great reduction in your stress levels.5. Exercise.Who doesnt want to get a runners high when theyre stressed out?Exercise is an excellent way to deal with stress. Exercise reduces stress hormones and provides stress relief, as well as stimulates the production of endorphins, the bodys natural painkillers and mood elevators. Thats why its such a good way to deal with stress.Regular aerobic exercise has a lot of other benefits, too. It improves your physical fitness and heart rate, as well as gives you opportunitiesto havetime to yourself. If you join an intramural league to play a team sport, youll have the opportunity to meet people and make new friends.6. Focus on the big picture.When youre stressed out, it can help to take a moment to consider the big picture. How much will this particular situation affect your life in the long run?Like gratitude, taking a few moments to consider the big picture and your overall goals is an important item to add to your to-do list. It can provide some stress relief to focus on the important issues at stake, rather than smaller issues.7. See a mental health professional.If youre overwhelmed by anxiety and anxious thoughts, or just want help creating coping strategies and developing a relaxation response to the problems in your life, it may be time to seek the help of a therapist. Different forms of therapy, such a cognitive-behavioral therapy, can help you develop a stronger stress response, address the stressors in your life, and improve your mood overall.--