This is very good advice. Seeking the consultation of friends is something that very few of us seem to do anymore when we need to solve problems. It helps to manifest your woes in words and release them to someone else. It helps us to be accountable for our faults in the situation and to step up. It also allows us an opportunity to see the problem in a new light. I think its healthy to take a personal problem and seek the POV of a close friend with whom you can trust the information (sometimes the best person to tell is someone who doesn't know you, it prevents a biased opinion from seeping through).
Dealing with stress is a mult-dimensional dilemma. Other things that help with dealing with stress are:
exercise:
exercise is definitely one of the most important weapons against any type of stress, simply because it rearranges, by its very nature, the mechanics of sensation and emotion. Endorphines, hormones released during exercise, are mood enhancers that provide a natural anesthesia and feeling of euphoria meant to combat stress and high blood pressure. It is a good tactic and will not cure stress altogether, especially deeper issues, but it temporarily puts the stressor in a light and productive mood, which can combat anxiety.
reading:
another good habit is reading, mainly because reading provides a stimulus for the brain and a healthy distraction from anxiety. It can also provide information toward a purpose or goal that can create understanding and facilitate introspection.
brainstorm:
the simple act of brainstorming, on any myriad of topics that might pertain to your life, is a great way to free your mind of mundane activity and take tired moments and turn them into a useful moments. Sometimes anxiety can manifest itself in unheard or unexpressed thoughts. Brainstorming is a way to get all your thoughts down on paper and later you can revisit them. It's a good way to track your thinking process and will give you insight on how your mind works when it is stress or anxious. It frees a lot of the energy pent up and causing restlessness.
