My USANA Stress Assessment Exam

FAMILY MATTERS AND STRESS

Raising a child can be incredibly stressful-even for the best of parents. Combat the stress you face as a parent by doing the following:

Get sufficient rest: Sleep deprivation makes everyone's day more difficult to cope with. Without sufficient rest, your brain's ability to problem solve is greatly impaired. Decision-making abilities are compromised, and the brain falls into rigid thought patterns that make it difficult to generate new problem-solving ideas. Be sure to allow yourself some time to catch up on the rest you need. 

Eat a healthy, balanced diet: Start by buying a week's worth of fresh food on Sunday, and then wash, prep, and store that food so it's ready to go for the rest of the week. Just be sure each meal includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to keep your immune system functioning at its best, as well as foods containing slow-release (low-glycemic) carbohydrates such as whole grain pasta and brown rice to keep your energy levels up. 

Find time for yourself: Take just a few minutes out of every day to focus on yourself, rather than the needs of others. Read your favorite book, listen to music, or pursue your hobbies. 

Exercise: Exercise is a great, natural stress reducer.

Talk about your feelings: Sharing your worries with someone else is one of the best stress relievers. Unfortunately, communication is often the first thing to be neglected in a relationship, whether it's with your partner, family, or friends, but sharing your feelings can help strengthen your relationships. 

MARRIAGE AND STRESS

Many studies have found that being married or maintaining a committed, steady romantic relationship may help you manage your stress and improve your overall quality of life.

But stress is a powerful thing, and small marital problems can become exaggerated when you or your partner take your personal stresses out on each other. And the results of such behavior can be devastating.

Take these steps to deal with any stress in, or outside, your marriage :

Take time to decompress: After a stressful day at work, many people need time alone to decompress before they're ready to talk. And forced conversation is never a good thing. Allow yourselves a few minutes to get your bearings straight. Watch some television, read a few pages of your favorite book, or even sit outside and catch some sunshine if the weather permits. 

Teamwork: Work with each other. Being in a marriage is like being on a team. In order for you both to be successful, you need to support each other. That's why you need to communicate and talk about the details of your day. Sharing your feelings can help strengthen your partnership. If your feelings are out in the open, you'll be less likely to "blow up" and take the day's stresses out on your partner. You can help each other by practicing active listening techniques and being positive and supportive. 

Don't point fingers: You may often find that your partner is the most available target for blame when you're stressed. Try to see things from your spouse's point of view. This will help you to see where the other person is coming from, which will increase your understanding of the situation. Don't assume that you are the one who has all the answers.