Stress is a PC word for fear. When people are saying they're stressed out, they're basically saying "I'm scared." What may seem paradoxical is that by acknowledging fear you can distance yourself from the emotion. Simply say, "I notice that part of me feels scared." And repetition is the mother of mastery—so repeat that statement.

Fight
Fear

Cortisol is a hormone that is released in response to fear. In the short term, exercise can increase levels of cortisol. But regular and consistent exercise decreases this effect, giving the body a better defense against stress. In addition, good sleep patterns can help regulate the release of cortisol and lower your anxiety. So basically, when you're well rested, you are able to fight stress better—your mind and body are stronger.

Assess your inner and outer resources. Take stock of your situation. Know how much money you have, how much debt, who might be able and willing to help you. Some people are terrified about their health, but they won't go to a doctor. Because of the way the human mind is wired, we imagine all kinds of horrible things that can happen, but an honest assessment of your resources can take some of the stress away.

Take
Stock

Figure out what exercises you really enjoy doing—not just those you think you should do. If you enjoy it, it's going to be a stress reliever. Pick an activity that relaxes you and takes you away from the stressors. It could be walking in the woods, gardening, dancing to music, reading a good book on the treadmill; gravitate toward something you enjoy most and that you dislike the least.

When people get scared, they tend to get stupid. They want to be relaxed, so they drink a little too much and wake up feeling hung over, then drink five cups of coffee and eat greasy food. They feel miserable and get more and more stressed. Really honor yourself; become your own inner coach. Say, "I have to take good care of myself." On some level, everything you do is either building or draining energy. In order to be resilient and bounce back from adversity, you need to be building energy.

Treat
Yourself
Better

When you're stressed out, you need consistent, balanced nutrition. Eat real, whole foods: Fruits and veggies, and fish with omega-3 fatty acids which have been shown to reduce the symptoms of stress. Avoid excess caffeine and alcohol. Eliminate junk foods. Fuel your body and get moving.

Imagine a positive future. When you look at sports psychology and performance, you see that imagining an action working out well—hitting a home run, for example—and really visualizing it helps you create a "pull factor," drawing in the positive and releasing the negative. That includes asking yourself better questions. Don't ask general questions like, "Why does my life stink?" Your brain can work better if you ask something more succinct, such as, "How can I pay down my credit card balance?"

Be
Positive

Exercise works like an antidepressant, literally, it raises serotonin levels, which is the same purpose of most depression medication. It also increases the level of endorphins in your blood that have an almost opiate-induced, feel-good effect on your brain. Moving around in general increases blood circulation and enhances energy levels and self-esteem. And try to laugh everyday. Laughter brings joy and offers an emotional release. Find a way to giggle. It's that simple.