Throughout the day, we may encounter various situations that cause us to feel stressed out. But while stress is a part of life, making efforts to reduce stress is important to maintaining our long-term health. For example, studies suggest that it takes twice as long for people to heal from an illness if they’re chronically stressed compared with those who are more relaxed.

http://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-management-relieving-stress http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/StressManagement/FightStressWithHealthyHabits/Fight-Stress-with-Healthy-Habits_UCM_307992_Article.jsp

When stress makes you feel bad, you should do something that makes you feel good, as this is a natural way to combat stress. Doing at least one thing you enjoy everyday, even if only for 15 minutes, can go a long way. Try taking up a hobby, reading a good book or magazine, having coffee or lunch with friends, or listening to some of your favorite music. You could also try a class in yoga, tai chi, or meditation. Maintaining a positive attitude can also relax your mind and body. While negative self-talk (“I’ll always be sick,” or “I’m so stupid”) will increase stress, positive self-talk (“I can do this” or “Things will work out”) helps you calm down and control stress. It’s good to practice positive self-talk every day, whether in the car, at work, before bed, or whenever you notice negative thoughts. However you choose to manage stress, the important thing is that you regularly practice your coping strategies, so they become habits.