Stress is generally related to both internal and external factors. External factors can include your job, environment, relationships, physical well-being, expectations, and all the things that happen in life that can be stressful. Internal factors decide how you will handle these external stressors. Internal factors can include your overall fitness and health, your nutritional status, the amount of rest and sleep you get, emotional well-being, and how you are able to control your stress with stress-relieving methods. Managing stress thus involves learning ways to change either the external factors, or changing how your respond to stress via internal factors. Some stress relieving methods include:
- Exercise
- Autogenic Training
- Biofeedback
- Guided Imagery
- Meditation Techniques
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation
- Qigong
- Tai chi
- Yoga