Prevention is  better than cure

We can make certain choices about our lifestyle that will minimise the likelihood of stress building up to crisis point, by choosing a lifestyle that recognises our needs, and balances our giving and receiving in life.

Get Moving

Exercise should no longer be   considered a luxury or indulgence. It is THE most important anti-aging medicine known. Not only will it help to prevent Alzheimer’s, but also almost every other age-related disease. It is a natural  antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and stress buster. It will also help you sleep better,  lower your           cholesterol, lower your blood sugar and  insulin levels and even improve your sex life! Put it in your appointment book at least 4 times a week - anything goes. Walking, running, swimming, dancing, roller blading - do something, anything, please and you will rapidly see the benefits. Try to do a vigorous   cardiovascular workout for 30 to  40 minutes at least four to five times a week in your target heart rate. Your brain will thank you.

Personal time or me time. People often get stressed out when they are committed to everything but themselves. It is easy to get lost in the grind of work and family life and not set aside time to work on yourself. A great way to prevent stress is to develop a personal hobby that takes you away from everything, such as dancing, sailing or painting.

Using vitamins and herbs to manage stress and depression  can be very helpful for many.  But, it’s important to remember that these agents are just like medications in many respects.  If you are taking them for a medicinal purpose, please discuss their use with your health care professional first. The whole idea is to improve our health, not to endanger it.

Share information with other parents. Get to know your children’s friends and their parents. Make an on-going effort to check in and talk to other parents about any issues or stress. You don't have to deal with problems alone - the most effective connection you have are parents, schools, and health    professionals working together to provide on-going monitoring and support for the health and well-being of your children.

Keep it Going. Ask your children how they feel about the event in a week, then in a month and so on. Each child has his or her own way of coping under stressful situations and the best thing you can as a parent is to listen to children and allow them to express their concerns and fears.

Take control of your environment - If the evening news makes you anxious, turn the TV off.  If traffic’s got you tense, take a longer but less-travelled route. If going to the market is an unpleasant chore, do your grocery shopping online.

Manage your time better. Poor time management can cause a lot of stress. When you’re stretched too thin and running behind, it’s hard to stay calm and focused. But if you plan ahead, you can avoid these stress-inducing pitfalls.

Do not be shocked when you see it is a hard habit to break, either! Prioritise what needs to be done the most, and slowly choose the rest of your commitments. Other ways to prevent stress are to assess living and working situations.  If they are too stressful, think about altering these environments.

The world needs you at your best. And you can be that way. But please, take time for yourself. It may not seem necessary, but in today's crazed world, it is the best thing you can do for yourself. And it's fun, too.