How can you avoid stress?

I don't think it is possible to avoid stress. Stress is a fact of life for most of us. So the next thing we can hope for is to lower the levels of stress we are under.

Here are a few ideas on how we could do that:

Time Management: Try making a schedule. Experience has shown that we can usually get more done when we have a schedule. Put things that are important on your schedule and do those things first. Work the rest of your day around what you have scheduled.

Having a schedule has made a big difference for me. Without one I find myself doing a bunch of little things and then at the end of the day, nothing important has been finished. Having a schedule helps me prioritize.

Coping Skills: Examine how you are dealing with stress. Keep a log so you can determine what skills are working and which skills don't work. Remember, what works for one person may not always work for someone esle.

Self Care: Get plenty of rest. Eat well. Don't smoke. Limit how much alcohol you drink. How we take care of our bodies determines how well our bodies will be able to handle stress.

Self Talk: Often we can talk ourselves into negativity. If we find we are starting to think thoughts that can build on our stress, stop immediately and reverse our thinking. We can find positive in just about any situation, so look for the positive and point our thoughts in that direction.

Modesty: I was once told that modesty means knowing ones limitations. Such modesty can help cut down on our stress. We will not stress over things we cannot change. Also, we will learn to say no when things are beyond what we are capable of doing.