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Before I get to the positive, healthy ways of handling stress, I would like to review the not so great, but very common methods people use.

1.) Alcohol: Drinking alcohol can actually increase your stress response- this is exactly the opposite effect of what you hoped.  Likewise, always turning to alcohol when you are stressed can create a harmful pattern, which leads you to be dependent on alcohol when things aren't going your way or you're feeling overwhelmed.  These effects are subject to individual differences and family history of alcohol use, however. 
      
        http://www2.fiu.edu/~oea/InsightsFall2004/online_library/articles/drinking%20to%20relieve%20stress%20a%20dangerous%20choice.htm
        http://www.ce-credit.net/articles/100623/Does_Drinking_Reduce_Stress.pdf


2.) Sleeping too much

3.) Procrastinating

4.) Withdrawing from family and friends

5.) Taking your stress out on others

6.) Overeating (this is often called "emotional eating")

So, if any of these sound familiar, make sure you continue reading for easy stress relief strategies.

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