How to Beat Serious Stress

When you're faced with a highly stressful event in your life, the following strategies will help you cope:

• Avoid unnecessary changes in your life.

• Quiet your mind.

• Keep in the present. The present is seldom as stressful as an imagined future.

• Courageously and aggressively face the stressor. Ask yourself, "What is the worst thing that is realistically likely to happen?" Then remind yourself of all the good things that will still be a part of your life even if the worst occurs.

• Take inventory of your coping responses.

• Take action. Action is a powerful stress-reducer.

• Take time out to relax.