Stress relief using the four A’s

There never seems to be enough hours in a day, but those few hours can be loaded with deadlines, responsibilities, errands and expectations. With stress weighing people down, daily tasks get harder to handle. Like a heavy backpack, getting heavier as the day goes on.

Sara Winters, physician assistant at Mayo Clinic Health System - Franciscan Healthcare in Waukon, recommends four steps to reduce stress and cope with the inevitable stressors of everyday life.

Avoid: Believe it or not, it is possible to escape some of the minor stressors that tend to trouble us.
- Take control of the stress that fills your day.
- If the drive home is stressful, try buying a new CD to make the commute more enjoyable.
- If a coworker is constantly irritating you, create physical distance between the two of you.
- Say no when necessary.

Alter: Communication and letting people know where you stand can make a world of difference.
- Respectfully asking someone to alter how they are treating you is completely reasonable.
- Remember to use “I” statements when addressing someone on how you feel.
- State your limitations in advance. Example: “I only have five minutes to chat.”

Accept: Accepting the situation can ease a lot of stress when avoiding and altering doesn’t work.
- Talking with someone about how you’re feeling is normal.
- Call up your best friend, get coffee with mom, or even schedule an appointment with a therapist.
- Forgiveness is huge in accepting stressful situations.
- Learning to move on is much easier than sitting around stressing about uncontrollable situations.

Adapt: Changing your standards and expectations on stressful situations can help you cope with stress.
- Stop striving for perfection and make reasonable substitutes throughout your daily life.
- Choose dinners that are easier to prepare and still make your family happy.
- Stop replaying those stressful situations over and over in your head.
- Choose to focus on the positive aspects in your life.
- Asking yourself if this will matter five years down the line can change how you view things.

“Stress is a part of everyday life. Practicing these four steps can help to provide balance for a healthier and happier lifestyle,” says Winters.