Stress management

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Three people performing a yoga pose while standing Yoga pose

Yoga poses, such as the warrior seen here, involve precise alignment of the arms, legs and torso. The balance of poses and breathing help achieve stress management and relaxation.

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Stress management offers a range of ways to help you better deal with stress and difficulty, also called adversity, in your life. Managing stress can help you lead a more balanced, healthier life.

Stress is an automatic physical, mental and emotional response to a difficult event. It's a common part of everyone's life. When used positively, stress can lead to growth, action and change. But negative, long-term stress can lessen your quality of life.

Stress management approaches include:

  • Learning skills such as problem-solving, focusing on important tasks first and managing your time.
  • Improving your ability to cope with difficult events that happen in life. For example, you may learn how to improve your emotional awareness and reactions. You also may learn how to increase your sense of control. And you may find greater meaning and purpose in life and have more gratitude and optimism.
  • Practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, meditation, tai chi, exercise and prayer.
  • Improving your personal relationships.

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By Mayo Clinic Staff

Stress management care at Mayo Clinic

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Doctors & Departments
Oct. 26, 2023
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  1. 11 healthy ways to handle life's stressors. American Psychological Association. https:// www.apa.org/topics/stress/tips. Accessed March 13, 2023.
  2. I'm so stressed out! Fact sheet. National Institute of Mental Health. https:// www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/so-stressed-out-fact-sheet. Accessed March 13, 2023.
  3. Relaxation techniques for health. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https:// www.nccih.nih.gov/health/relaxation-techniques-what-you-need-to-know. Accessed March 13, 2023.
  4. Rakel D, et al., eds. Relaxation techniques. In: Integrative Medicine. 5th ed. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 15, 2023.
  5. Bystritsky A. Complementary and alternative treatments for anxiety symptoms and disorders: Physical, cognitive, and spiritual interventions. https://www.uptodate.com/index.html. Accessed March 15, 2023.
  6. Pizzorono JE, et al., eds. Stress management. In: Textbook of Natural Medicine. 5th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 15, 2023.
  7. Libby P, et al., eds. Integrative approaches to the management of patients with heart disease. In: Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 15, 2023.
  8. Bauer BA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. March 23, 2023.
  9. Massage therapy: What you need to know. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/massage-therapy-what-you-need-to-know. Accessed March 20, 2023.

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