Health Tip: Keep Stress at Bay

(HealthDay News) -- Some stress is unavoidable, but there are things you can do to prevent stress from taking over your life and making health problems worse.

The Cleveland Clinic offers these suggestions:

• Stick to a healthy diet, get plenty of exercise, avoid smoking and limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
• Don''t allow others to make demands or set expectations for you. Say no, and don''t be afraid to stand up for yourself.
• Take time every day just to relax.
• Set realistic goals and expectations for yourself, but understand that you can''t control everything.
• Figure out what causes you stress in your life. Eliminate what you can, and learn how to manage other sources of stress.
• Remind yourself of what you do well and successes that you''ve had.

-- Diana Kohnle

Last Updated: Sept. 15, 2008

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