A multi-faceted approach to stress management will give you maximum results in reducing your level of overall stress.

The primary parts of an effective stress management program include the following:

• Exercise 20 to 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise each day is a basic element of your stress management program. Do any kind of exercise you enjoy, as long as it gets your pulse and breathing rate up -- walking, biking, sports, swimming, jogging. Do something you enjoy -- you'll be more certain to stick to it. Remember, it's best not to work out vigorously in the four hours preceding bedtime.
• Sleep Most of us require an average of 8 hours of sleep per night for good health. Many Americans are deeply sleep-deprived! Restful sleep is when your body repairs itself, and prepares for tomorrow's activities. Not getting enough sleep may lead to increased levels of depression and anxiety, increased weight, reduction of immune system effectiveness, and increased stress levels.
• Diet A healthy, balanced diet helps you get rid of the corrosive results of stress. A good multi-vitamin daily is also a good idea, particularly one with plenty of Vitamins A, C, and E -- for good anti-oxidant protection. Try not to eat a big meal too close to bedtime, as it may interfere with your sleep.
• Moderate use of alcohol It can be tempting to indulge in a couple of drinks to wind down following a busy day, alcohol causes some negative side-effects, particularly with more than one drink per day. Depressed mood, increase in body weight, negative effects on relationships, and sleep disturbance can occur with overuse of alcohol. There are better methods to unwind!
• Relaxation Deep Relaxation provides the best way to quiet your thoughts and allow yourself to fully rest. 20-30 minutes per day is optimal. Meditation or other contemplative activities such as yoga, listening to a relaxation cd, or simply observing your breath will allow you to experience the Relaxation Response.

"But I don't have time for all this! I have too much going on to just exercise and relax and rest every day. How do I accomplish this?"

It's certainly challenging to fit it all in! So, search out how you can do at least some self-care on a daily basis.

Maybe you can squeeze a half hour daily into your schedule for taking care of yourself and dealing with your stress. That's terrific! You might take a walk one day, listen to a relaxation cd the next day, ride your bike the next day, meditate for thirty minutes the following day, and so on.

If you can't do it all each day, don't get frustrated and give up! If you at least do thirty minutes of your stress management program every day, you soon will feel tangible results.

Scheduling to ensure that you will be able to eat nutritious meals at reasonable times during the day won't take any more time -- in reality, it will probably take less time than waiting until the last moment to determine what you will eat.

Sleeping even an extra thirty minutes -- which may mean going to sleep a bit earlier -- will result in increased efficiency. Research has shown that persons who are well rested get more done in a shorter time and with higher quality, than do persons who are not rested.

As your level of stress begins to lessen, you'll find yourself looking forward to your half-hour of daily self care. You're treating yourself -- to adequate rest, to exercise, to healthy sleep.

You will feel better and function better as your stress level diminishes. You'll enjoy being more flexible when dealing with daily hassles like traffic, difficult people, bills. And you will be more efficient, accomplishing more in less time with less wear and tear on yourself than you ever dreamed!

Relax.

Let go of Stress.

Take care of yourself.