Prescription for Stress Management To maximize the ability to cope with stress try the following Adopt a Positive Mindset - Being more positive about any situation will reduce the amount of stress inflicted upon the body. Avoid complaining, criticizing and gossiping. Learn How to Say "No" - Know your limits. Don't over commit yourself. Taking on more than one can handle is a recipe for stress. Manage Your Time Better - Poor time management can cause a lot of stress. Planning ahead can reduce the stress. Schedule Time for Rest - Leisure activities or hobbies that bring joy like gardening, reading, enjoying music, getting a massage, taking a warm bath, playing a musical instrument, playing with a pet and cooking a favourite recipe are examples of welcome stress relievers. Get Enough Sleep - Proper sleep gives body the time it needs to rest and heal and good sleep improves mood, energy levels and cognition. Get at least 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night. De-Stress with Exercise - Exercise can help to lower levels of stress as it releases feel-good hormones that improves the energy, mood and outlook.. Engage in at least 30 min of moderate intensity exercise 3-5 days each week. Socialize and Connect with Others - Talking with family or friends helps to de-stress by simply sharing thoughts and feelings. Have a Good Sense of Humour - Humour provides a psychological distance from the current state and enables to replace negative appraisals with more positive ones. Practice Work-Life Balance - A periodic escape from the pressures of work can do wonders to reduce stress & increase productivity Relaxation Exercises - relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, yoga, etc. can reduce stress. These requires practice over time in order to see results. Deep Abdominal Breathing - This technique is designed to slow one's breathing and regulate oxygen intake. It involves sitting in a comfortable chair or lying down and taking slow, deep breaths with the intention of breathing so that the air expands the abdomen more than the chest. This significantly reduces perceived stress. Meditation Exercises - Combine focusing on a specific object or sensation (such as breathing) while disengaging from other distracters and regulating internal experiences (i.e., emotions, thoughts) through non-judgemental acceptance. Research suggests that meditation is negatively correlated with perceived stress and decreases in serum cortisol levels. Visualization or Imagery - It's is a powerful method of stress reduction and can be combined with deep breathing. The general idea behind positive visualization is to use imagination to create a situation in the mind that is relaxing and calming - like taking a "mini holiday". Source: Beautiful Inside Out Wellness Guide by Beauty and Wellness Sector Skill Council