Long-term stress can lessen your quality of life

Understanding how you react to it is one of the first steps to managing it.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which makes this a good time to learn about managing stress.

Stress is a normal psychological and physical reaction to the demands of life. A small amount of stress can be good, motivating you to perform well. When used positively, stress can lead to growth, action and change. But negative, long-term stress can lessen your quality of life and put your health at risk.

One of the first steps toward good stress management is understanding how you react to stress — and making changes if necessary. Take a look at how you react to stress, and then adopt or modify stress management techniques to make sure the stress in your life doesn’t lead to health problems.

Relaxation techniques are a great way to help with stress management. Relaxation isn’t only about peace of mind or enjoying a hobby. Relaxation is a process that decreases the effects of stress on your mind and body.

In general, relaxation techniques involve refocusing your attention on something calming and increasing awareness of your body. It doesn’t matter which relaxation technique you choose. What matters is that you try to practice relaxation regularly to reap its benefits.

Meditation is considered a type of mind-body complementary medicine. Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years, and it originally was meant to help deepen understanding of the sacred and mystical forces of life. These days, meditation is commonly used for relaxation and stress reduction.

There are many forms of meditation, but most have in common a quiet setting, a comfortable position, focused attention and an open attitude.