I like to think of managing stress in two parts. The first one is preventative and the second is in the moment. 

With stress and your health, you want to put most of your effort into preventing it from becoming an issue. This doesn’t mean that it won’t happen but you are decreasing the frequency and intensity by taking these steps. Here are some keys for prevention:

*Meditation and mindfulness

*Exercise

*Nutrition

*Sleep

*Get out in nature

*Take breaks

*Have healthy social connections

*Perform hobbies

Managing stress: When stress arises it is important to know how to deal with it. Here are four steps to manage it:

The first step is to know what your triggers are so that you can be aware of them. 

The second is to allow yourself to connect to the breath when you are feeling stressed. By watching the breath or doing a breathing exercise you are decreasing the tension in your body. 

The third is to accept the moment as it is. Accept that you are feeling stressed, anxious, or whatever is arising for you. When we resist it is when it persists and gets stronger. 

The last one is whenever possible to take a break and to do something that relaxes you. This may be reading, listening to music, meditating, going for a walk, etc. 

When you are able to manage your stress you become a lot less reactive. A great quote by Viktor Frankl is, “Between the stimulus and response there is a space, and in that space is your power and your freedom.” By recognizing the stress and connecting with the breath you are really giving yourself a choice in how you want to respond.