One of the things I've noticed as we are getting older is the fact that we also accumulate stress. Since the world and life is more complicated, our emotions becomes reactive, and at times (most of the time, in fact) we react to situations negatively and thus add further stress to ourselves. The things that some people did (i.e. murder, suicide) is because of the way they react to the daily stresses, the way they handled the biggest stresses (like being laid off) and because of not knowing how to handle or nobody to turn or talk to (if only there is some way to emphasize the importance of stress management education).
Just last night, I took the liberty of going over the Stress Institute webpage and I instantly liked the tips on reducing stress. I am actually practicing breathing through the diaphragm (which is really hard but it has its benefits) since when we are stressed (most of us actually, especially women) we tend to do the upper breathing (I forgot how they call that). I say common in us women, because we tend to breathe through our chest especially when we wear constricted clothing (vanity speaks) or when we arxiety mgte trying to hold our breath (to make our belly look smaller, haha!). Try breathing through the diaphragm, it really is relaxing. You'll notice how different you breathe when relax and when not.
Anyway, back to the Institute. I was, at first, not taken with how the site looks but then again, the content and the links that they offer compensate for the facade. I especially like the dropdown menu for the stress management because it offers a lot of tips for stress reduction. I went through the resources and I like the fact that it's complete.
I'm no expert, I know. But, I am trying to cut my stress in half. You see, I've tried and I'm trying to lessen my stress by doing these things - acupressure (I'm not keen on puncture thing), meditation, breathing, music, hypnosis (yes, hypnosis), prayer, writing, positive quotes, yoga (I'm not really true blue yoga - but I found a book on quick yoga for busy peeps), thinking positively and a hug (they said a hug increases the body's immune system, okay, where did I get that?).
Managing stresses is actually something that only an individual can do for himself. There are a lof of tips and suggestions like Stress Institute can instill in us, but it's up to us how we are going to manage stress, each one of us approaches stress differently, thus the need for truly identifying something as stress, and finding ways to reduce it. If you don't know your stresses, or you have no idea how stressed you are, I think an institute will do you good.