My patients often ask for help in managing symptoms of stress. Since the road to success is always under construction, we all experience change, the need to solve problems on a daily basis and many other challenges.

Believe it or not, my colleagues and I agree that stress in moderation is beneficial. It keeps us in condition for the challenges of life and produces energy, enhanced focus, better memory and rapid problem-solving and analysis.

However, when too many stress-oriented elements exist simultaneously, things start becoming overwhelming, and our sense of well-being quickly fades. We behave self-destructively, becoming unnecessarily angry at our spouses and fellow workers.

We also start making mistake after mistake. Those behaviors and emotions should trigger us to consciously start using our coping mechanisms.

However, you may have found that, under stress, adequate coping mechanisms are hard to come by. Therefore, your stress level not only becomes unremitting, but also worsens.

For example, if you use alcohol excessively to suppress your symptoms, then you are likely to add fatigue, hangovers and more health problems to your mountain of original symptoms.
Different people, of course, choose different types of self-defeating coping methods.

For example, if you are an assertive and vigilant type, under stress, you may confront others with anger, verbal abuse, resistance and hostility. On the other hand, if you are a slower- paced or more laid-back type, you may engage in behaviors such as, withdrawal, passive-aggressiveness, stonewalling and continuing complaining about past affronts.

None of these behaviors are constructive, or solve the problem.
Indeed, these self-defeating coping methods often create more symptoms of stress and worsen the ones that already exist.

To prevent this, experts agree that you must master and practice proven stress management methods. Your first step is to identify and concentrate on your top priority each day at the beginning of the day.

Commit yourself to implement relaxation techniques and to cultivate optimism that the means to resolution of today’s problems is within reach. Work towards aiming problem-solving towards longer-term answers, not short term ones.

Be highly aware of boundaries: Be responsible for your own actions, not for those of others. Limit any remorse or discouragement only to those tasks you could have done better and which were in your control.

Studies show that relationships are crucial to your sense of well-being. Share time with family and friends and listen carefully.

Always use explicit agreements and do not assume anything. This way you will prevent many stressful disagreements.

Help others manage their stress levels as well. For example, if you are a parent, employer or manager, make sure your people have the prerequisites or information needed for any tasks you might assign and provide appropriate feedback.

Define roles clearly and make sure their work is challenging but not overwhelming. They should have some choice about the methods they use to get the task done.

If they are interacting frequently with others, they will need some breaks to reflect on the quality of their communications.
Mastery of these techniques for reducing your stress and that of others, will lessen the chance that you will engage in damaging behaviors.

Mastering these behaviors requires practice and training. Besides reading, taking classes or consulting a therapist, one way to learn how to master them is by using self-therapy kits (STKs). They are self-help programs that teach how to engage constructive stress management skills.

They teach these stress management techniques using any one or any combination of the following: CDs, DVDs, MP3s, e-books, workbooks, audios, videos etc. STKs are used at home, are self-paced and are available 24/7.

They provide stress management tutoring and use visualization, behavioral exercises, ways to monitor your progress and are educational in nature. Therefore, in treating your stress, no side-effects are produced and there are no prescriptions or doctor visits involved.

You may even want to test them before participating in any professional counseling. After all, they may reduce your stress level all by themselves.

Dr Shery earned his doctorate at the University of Southern Calif. He is a certified counselor in Cary, IL and an author with over 30 years experience. He provides cutting-edge Self-Therapy Kits (STKs) that he uses with his own patients. They are guaranteed to eliminate anxiety, anger and agitation; if not satisfied, you get a no-strings attached, unconditional refund. Learn more about these New Self-Therapy Kits