Nowadays, so many products and services have names that invoke calm and peace: cool waters, serenity, placid breezes. Why is that? Maybe that’s because the average person is a walking ball of stress, hopped-up on double espressos and energy drinks to keep pace with life’s demands. We get stress at the office, around the house, each time we check our mail box, our in box. How else can you explain MTV getting the "Kids in America" into a yoga studio with its own video line? Former jocks like Joe Torre and Phil Simms advertising Bigelow Green Tea? Massage studios don’t have enough hours in the day to accommodate all those in need. And didn’t you get a stress relief toy at the last conference you attended? Because we are so stressed out! Over what, you might ask, and that’s a good question, but the better question is why should we care? BBG comes with a fair amount of stress of its own so we're here to tell you why should care and what you can do to alleviate stress and calm yourself down.What is Stress?

What Can You Do To Handle Stress?

• If it’s work

Then, you have a couple of options: change jobs or change how you do your job. Figure out what about work is stressing you out (work load, staff, expectations), see what you can change (different department, shift in responsibilities), or a talk with the boss might help. The boss might have another suggestion – a new job. We can help you with that, too.

• If it’s your relationship

Well, talk about 99 Problems. . . .  Stress in a relationship really wears on you. First, decide how important your relationship with her is to you, not just being in “a relationship.” Then, figure out how important it and you are to your significant other. If it’s clear that it’s about the other person, not just someone to have brunch and read the Sunday papers with, start talking about what the issues are and try to resolve them one by one. This won’t be fun and if there’s a chance that you two aren’t communicating well, get counseling from a priest or rabbi, an impartial friend, or a therapist. Or if talking and counseling aren't working or you simply just don't care enough, then get out and move on.

• If it’s financial (credit debt, overextended resources)

Then stop spending money. Or at least get a handle on what you’re spending it on. Make yourself a budget, accounting for all your expenses, and spend your salary wisely, saying no to the bachelor weekend in Vegas when you can't afford it (yes, as hard as that is to do). Eliminate the plastic; pay off the rest of your credit card debt, starting with the lowest balance first. Call the card companies and negotiate down your rate while you pay them off. Then, start working with a financial planner to help you with your long-term planning.

Managing Daily Stress

• Take a deep breath. Remember when people smoked, especially when things were tough? The time it takes to stop, inhale, and exhale gave people a chance to step away from the problem. Don’t smoke?  Good for you. Take a deep breath anyway and blow away some tension.
• Take a walk. Stepping away from stress-filled situations allows you to clear your head and get a new perspective. Walking also strengthens the heart and lungs and lets you blow off steam if things are reaching a boiling point. Just remember to come back.
• Exercise. Exercising increases oxygen in the blood stream, which can mitigate the effects of stress. It also releases endorphins, which help the body regulate the stress reaction. Exercises like yoga are great because it helps reduce stress in the body and mind, and no, this does not now require you to wear a unitard.
• Get a Hobby. Finding fun things to do in your life helps you manage the daily stress. Build a ship-in-a-bottle, take up volleyball or photography, or play drums, just make it something you like.
• Don’t use food or alcohol to cope. Some folks tend to eat when they’re stressed out, which leads to weight gain and potential health issues in due time. If you’re one of them, snack on yogurt, fruit, and mixed nuts (healthy oils and protein) instead of candy, chips, and soda.  Studies indicate small amounts of alcohol can help minimize some stress, but having more than two drinks actually increases the stress your body feels, which kind of defeats the purpose. Drink more water, instead.
• Get more sleep. The more rest you get the better able you are to cope. You don’t sleep, you stress out; you stress out, you don’t sleep. Self-fulfilling prophecy. Even in tough times, create yourself a comfortable space to sleep: keep your bedroom dark, cool, and remove all distractions (books, television, computers).