While all this is going on around us we are setting goals for ourselves that may or may not be realistic. When we miss one or more goals we put ourselves under tremendous pressure and that creates even more stress.

It seems that with all the pressure life is heaping on us the only way to get out of it is either to find a mountain top and learn to live off air, or to enter a monastery. Neither one of these alternatives is really a good option for most of us. Then how do we learn to manage stress, and what can we individually do for ourselves so we do not suffer from unintended consequences.

Before I go into the recommendation, let me give you a little rationale as to why it is important for you to learn how to effectively deal with stress. You see when you are under stress your body actually releases chemicals which are harmful to our health. These chemicals can actually make us sick.

Think about the typical work environment, how many people happen to get sick just before they were to do a major presentation, or the day before their performance review. I have personal experience that has proven this to me. Think back to your last illness and see what was going on in your life at that time. You may be surprised.

Now before you go to your MD or DO, please keep in mind that not all of conventional medicine has bought into this information. Naturopaths and Homeopaths have been sharing this with their patients for centuries.

I have recently adopted a new saying for myself: It is what it is. That seems simple, but in reality it is exactly true. While I may be able to change some things in my life, there are some things I simply can’t change, for example:

• I can’t change the fact that the guy in front of me just cut me off while I was driving 70 MPH
• I can’t change the fact that my boss thinks I messed up at work
• I can’t change the fact that the deer ran out in front of me and hit my car
• I can’t change the fact that the power went out and my alarm clock didn’t work

At the same time, one small but crucial thing we can do is to change our attitude. This one thing can dramatically change whatever stress is going on around you. What I can change is how I react or respond to those incidents or situations. I control my thoughts and actions, or at least I should be able to. And at the end of the day I am the one responsible for my thoughts and actions.

Now one of the best ways to get into the right frame of mind, or develop a better attitude is by exercising. When we exercise our body produces endorphins, the happy chemical. The endorphins help relax us and they help calm us. When we are relaxed we have little to no stress.

Consider this the next time you feel a red flag stress alert coming on – leave the situation and get away for a few minutes. A walk outside in the fresh air sounds like just the ticket. If you do this for about 10-15 minutes you should start feeling the effect of the endorphins and find yourself in a much more relaxed state.

I am not suggesting that the problems will go away. However, how you deal with them, how you see them and how you re-act to them will be different and you will feel better.

Give it a try. Go take a brisk walk and see if you don’t feel better!

There are a number of activities that can be undertaken to help improve your self esteem. These can be done in the classroom, at home or in counseling sessions. Some can be done individually, while others are best done in a group setting.

One exercise for a group setting would be for everyone to take a piece of paper and write their name on it. Then the paper is passed around to the next person who then writes a comment on the paper about the person whose name is on the back. There is one key rule for this exercise – only positive things can be written. After all we are trying to build up others, not tear them down. I did one of these while in a Steven Covey class many years ago, I still have some of the cards with comments on them. It is nice to look back to what others had to say about me that I may not have believed for myself.

An example of an individual exercise would be to focus on writing about our self. While it is very easy for a person with low self esteem to write volumes about their problems and negative traits, it is not so easy for them to do the opposite. These people find it difficult to see their own value and self worth. Therefore it is difficult for them to write about the good things others see in them. Frankly since they do not appreciate themselves they very often fail to see their good points. So they should spend at least 10 minutes a day writing positive things about themselves, as well as the goals they would like to achieve. While this will take some time it will start a transformation in their behavior.

If you are looking for more examples of exercises look no further than the internet. There are many examples, types and styles of exercises for young and old alike. Go out and find them, you will find them rewarding opportunities to help those seeking to improve their self esteem.

How can you go about naturally treating your social anxiety disorder? (Or perhaps a friend or family member you know who suffers from the condition?) Here are 10 tips that can help you to control the symptoms of anxiety attacks and general anxiety disorder to make steady progress towards happiness.

1. Do not avoid public settings. Even if you’re only eating with a close relative, try and visit public places with people on a regular basis.

2. Try and make it a goal to make eye contact with someone and be the first to say hello. Once a conversation has started it’s relatively easy to keep it going.

3. Prepare for a new conversation in advance. If you’re not sure of what to talk about start reading the newspaper and form an opinion that you would like to share.

4. Give someone, a stranger or acquaintance, a sincere compliment. They will almost always respond favorably!

5. Show an interest in other people. If you are afraid to talk about yourself then ask people about their life; their home life, their relatives and hobbies.

6. Fake your way through a conversation just for the experience. Make a goal of asking someone for help just for the experience of meeting them face to face. For instance, you could ask a retail clerk questions about a product or you could ask a stranger for driving directions.

7. Exercise regularly. Exercise can release endorphins which are like natural pain relievers. This is a much healthier alternative than seeking solace in alcohol or drugs.

8. Set realistic goals and let someone close to you help you achieve them. Remember to smart small, as too many lofty goals all at once may scare you into doing nothing.

9. Learn about yourself and about what frightens you. On your own, or with the help of someone else, determine what some positive defense mechanisms are to counter your worries.

10. Meditate. Meditation could involve anything from repeating stress-relief mantras to deep meditational concentration to even religious prayer. Whatever your choice, this meditation is a healthy form of relieving stress and getting in touch with your inner-peace and reduce symptoms of anxiety attacks.