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Managing stress
Everyone feels stress. Our bodies are designed to react to it: It keeps us alert and ready to avoid danger. We can't always avoid or change the sources of stress in our lives, and we may feel trapped and unable to cope. When stress persists, illnesses can occur. Because stress plays a role in making any headache worse, relaxation techniques might help you manage your headaches.
The key to coping with stress is identifying stressors in your life and learning ways to reduce their effect on you. It's important to remember that you can learn to control how you respond to stressful events. We all have our own ways of coping with change, so the causes of stress can be different for each person.
When you are not sure of the exact cause of your stress, it may be helpful for you to know the warning signs of stress. Once you can identify these signs, you can learn to recognize possible triggers and how your body responds to stress. Then you can take steps to reduce it. Talk to a friend, family member, religious professional, or healthcare professional if you need support in dealing with your problems. Counseling can help you recognize and release stress.
General steps in learning how to handle your stress:
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Become aware of your stress reaction and its early signs
- Learn a relaxation skill you can adopt as your own
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Learn to apply that relaxation skill when the first signs of stress develop
- Master the technique of breathing from your abdomen
- Practice at home with a video- or audiotaped relaxation or imagery program
- Practice using your stress management skills in real-life situations
- Develop behavioral strategies so you can avoid stress reactions
More detail about coping with stress is provided:
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