Your health

• So how can I help myself to stay healthy?
• Bird (Avian) Flu
• Self treatment of common illness and accidents
• Stress
• Quit smoking

Stress

Ten top tips for coping with stress

1. Avoid self-medicating with alcohol, drugs, food or nicotine.

2. Take control of your life – you don’t have to do everything asked of you.

3. Recognise that perfection doesn’t exist … so there is no point in striving for it

4. Laughter boosts your immune system, lowers your blood pressure and gives your diaphragm and abdominal, respiratory and facial muscles a good workout.

5. Exercise is a great stress-buster and releases natural ‘happy’ chemicals in the brain that make you feel great.

6. Recognise the warning signs when you are tired or feeling low and take positive action.

7. Practice a stress reduction technique every day to maintain a calm, positive outlook.

8. Take care of yourself. The basics – enough sleep and ‘5 live’ each day – can work wonders.

9. Learn to accept what you cannot change – particularly other people.

10. If your stress persists, or stops you from enjoying daily life, seek professional help.