Stress is not in itself a bad thing; without moderate levels of stress your ability to engage difficult and complex tasks suffers dramatically. The cascade effects of the stress hormone, cortisol, prepare your body for peak performance. Too much cortisol, however, can be deadly – especially over time. So if your stress levels are interfering with day to day life, try these strategies (courtesy of Psychology Today):
Reframe the experience Find a positive or useful side to a stressful experience. For instance, if someone cuts you off in traffic, see this as an opportunity to practice a calming exercise like mindful breathing. If you’re assigned a difficult job at work, look at it as an opportunity to grow and learn new skills. The job will still be difficult, but much less stressful.
Practice generosity Do something – anything – nice for someone. Give a dollar to a homeless person. Send your mother a card. Volunteer at the homeless shelter. Exercising generosity makes you calmer and more accepting of life’s curveballs.
Set realistic goals Write down realistic, reachable goals for the day and week. Check them off when you reach them. Give yourself a reward for following through, and notice what’s going well.
Network, network, network We register emotional pain more slowly when we experience daily social support. Reach out and connect with friends, family, anyone you feel comfortable with.
Notice the positives Notice at least one positive thing that happens every day. Then tell someone about it or write it down (for instance, in a journal). It doesn’t matter how small of large the experience is; notice it, and share it.
Meditate Meditation, in particular mindfulness meditation, increases emotional regulation and decreases your fear response. Start with mindful breathing: Find a quiet spot where you won’t be disturbed. Sit comfortably and take a couple deep, easy breaths. Then: breathe normally, and just notice your breathing – notice the feel of the air going in and out, notice your chest rising and falling. When your mind wanders, just notice this, and return your attention to your breath. Try for one minute to start, then longer as you’re able. You will notice a difference in your overall stress levels.
Get plenty of sleep It’s become abundantly clear that Americans do not get enough sleep. Adults need at least seven hours; eight is better. Teenagers need up to nine. If you have trouble sleeping, look up and use sleep hygiene.
Exercise, exercise, exercise Get at least thirty minutes of moderate exercise every day. This can be as simple as a walk around the neighborhood, although exercise in green spaces (like parks, trails, etc) shows the most benefits. Exercise is the best known antidote for anxiety, depression, and elevated stress; it also grows your brain (literally – exercise increases the growth of nerve cells). If you sit at work, get up frequently and stretch, take the stairs, or go outside. However you do it, get up and exercise. 
Adapted from Singer, Psychology Today, April 2012
Steven Blaisdell MA, BCC 