How to be immune to stress

Money
‘Prioritise your long-term and short-term spending goals, separating “needs” from “wants”, then make a list of all your monthly expenses and incomes,’ says stress expert Joanne Steed-Takasaki. ‘If you’re spending too much, identify and cut low-priority items. Draw up and stick to a spending plan. Continually re-examine your plan and your spending habits. Effective budgeting takes time, patience and practice.’
 
Relationships
‘If arguments are getting on top of you then learn to listen empathetically. Until we listen with the intent to understand someone truly, we do not have accurate information with which to work. Think through what you want to say, rather than speaking impulsively and emotionally. Treating your partner the way you want to be treated is the best way to get it reciprocated.’

Work
‘It’s easy to get stressed by work, but keep things in perspective. You can’t control the attitude of your co-workers, so focus on what you can control – doing your job right. Schedule your time carefully. Spending ten per cent of your time planning your work will save you as much as 90 per cent of the time it takes to get the job done. And purposefully schedule uninterrupted blocks of time in each day to recharge your batteries.’
 
Sport
‘If another crushing defeat has taken you to the brink, reframe the game. Take the negative and put a new perspective on it. Rather than measuring the game by the score alone, measure success by being a time for good exercise, socialising with friends and being away from work or other stressful scenarios. Then start visualising a strong performance in the return fixture.’

For more health-enhancing stories, subscribe to the magazine. We'll sort you out with five issues for £5.

Extra info

Joanne Steed-Takasaki is the co-author of Sink Or Swim: Stress Management Strategies To Ensure Your Survival (£8, Global Authors Publishers).