You can’t avoid all stress, and some stress is good. But it is important to avoid or get rid of some needless stress. Try these tips.

• Set priorities. Look at your schedule, responsibilities, and daily tasks. Where do you want to spend your time and energy? If you’re too busy, decide what is a “should-do” and what is a “must-do”. Ask for help if you can. And if a task is not very important, put it at the bottom of your list or cross it off.
• Learn to say “no.” Know your physical and mental limits and be firm. Do not overextend yourself. Overexertion and fatigue may slow down your recovery from concussion. Once you have established your priorities and energy levels, it is easier to say no.
• Stay away from people who stress you out. If someone causes you stress and you can’t change it, don’t spend too much time with that person, or end the relationship.
• Take control of your environment. If the evening news makes you anxious, turn the TV off. If traffic makes you tense, take a longer but less-travelled route. If going to the grocery store is an unpleasant chore, choose a quieter time, go to small market, or do your grocery shopping online. ​