How To Manage Stress

Not all stress is bad. But chronic (ongoing) stress can lead to health problems.

Preventing and managing chronic stress can help lower your risk for serious conditions like heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, and depression.
You can prevent or reduce stress by:

• Planning ahead 
• Deciding which tasks need to be done first
• Preparing for stressful events

Some stress is hard to avoid. You can find ways to manage stress by:

• Noticing when you feel stressed
• Taking time to relax
• Getting active and eating healthy
• Talking to friends and family 

The Basics: Signs and Health Effects

What are the signs of stress?

When people are under stress, they may feel:

• Worried
• Angry
• Irritable
• Depressed
• Unable to focus

Stress also affects the body. Physical signs of stress include:

• Headaches
• Back pain
• Problems sleeping
• Upset stomach
• Weight gain or loss
• Tense muscles
• Frequent or more serious colds