 Know yourself. Take time to be alone and identify what is important to you and what will ultimately make you happy. Work toward those goals as a priority.
Take control. Educate yourself about your condition. Prioritize your life and your needs. Participate in activities that give you the most enjoyment and limit activities that are not enjoyable or that put too much demand on you.
Develop a personal support system. Seek out the company of those you trust and with whom you can be yourself. Having a strong network to support you can ultimately lead to better stress management. Talk about stress and your feelings with your family, friends and loved ones.
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Practice stress management techniques. Some people benefit from participating in activities that help reduce stress, including: meditation, yoga, relaxation techniques and regular exercise.
Simplify your life. Consider spending less time and mental energy ruminating over the past and worrying about the future.
Think positively. Because there is clear overlap between physical and emotional responses, your feelings about yourself and your disease can have a powerful impact on your health. When you are positive and face your condition and treatment with confidence and optimism, you'll find it much easier to manage.
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