Stress is a natural part of our daily lives, once you have to make a decision, some level of stress is felt, whether it's deciding what to wear to work, what to eat, what mode of transport to take etc. These stresses are called good stressors, they do not or should not leave an individual catatonic and unable to move.
It is important that stresses are not exacerbated and taken so out of context that it takes you over and render you helpless, hopeless ready to give up! There are a number of ways to ease the stresses of life!
Take a breather:
There are times when you are faced with lots of things that require your attention, as a result making you feel overwhelmed. If at any point in time you are not able to find solutions, or there is just too much to do.
Stop whatever you are doing and take a break, then when you feel a bit more clear minded and settled, just go back to the task or you can find another activity that is totally unrelated to the one you were performing.
Do exercises:
Exercise is very beneficial to the wellbeing of individuals, but be mindful to choose an exercise regime that best suits you as an individual. Studies show that, exercise may change levels of chemicals in your brain, such as serotonin, which helps with proper sleep, endorphins, which are one of your happy hormones and stress hormones.
Exercising a few minutes a day will do wonders for you.
Focus on the positive:
When stress is getting you down, take a moment to reflect on all the things you appreciate in your life, including your own positive qualities and gifts. This simple strategy can help you keep things in perspective.
Own pets:
A range of studies has been done to ascertain the effects that owning pets have on individuals and one of the results showed that owning pets drastically reduced stress in individuals.
Highly recommend you go out and purchase a pet of your liking.
Get enough rest:
When an individual rests and sleeps well the body's natural healing mechanism kicks in, the chemical elements in the body will remain balanced and hence will keep you in a good mood.
Drink relaxing teas:
There are herbal teas available that can help to soothe your ruffled feathers, these may include: Chamomile, peppermint, passionflower, sweet basil.
Start a stress journal:
A stress journal can help you identify the regular stressors in your life and the way you deal with them. Each time you feel stressed, keep track of it in your journal. As you keep a daily log, you will begin to see patterns and common themes.
Learn To Control Emotions:
Be assertive instead of aggressive:
Assert your feelings, opinions, or beliefs instead of becoming angry, defensive, or passive.
Just breathe:
There's an old saying that recommends taking a deep breath and counting to 10 to soothe anger. Well, the same is true with stress. Breathing in rhythm may improve positive emotions as it helps to promote activity in the area of the brain that's responsible for good thoughts. Positive thinking can lead to happiness, which is one sure way to stop stress.
Avoid people who stress you out:
If someone consistently causes stress in your life and you can’t turn the relationship around, limit the amount of time you spend with that person or end the relationship entirely.
Treat yourself:
Whether you're feeling a little blue or just need a quick pick-me-up, take time to be good to yourself. Have a sip of your favorite beverage, indulge in a light snack to tempt your tastebuds . When one errand runs into another and days seem to fly by so quickly that we barely even notice them, it may be time to get out of the rut and take a moment to enjoy life by treating yourself to something great.
Reframe problems:
Try to view stressful situations from a more positive perspective. Rather than fuming about a traffic jam, look at it as an opportunity to pause and regroup, listen to your favorite radio station, or enjoy some alone time.
Aside from following the above recommendations and finding also what works best for you as an individual. There are some habits to avoid, that will definitely exacerbate your stress.
Unhealthy ways of coping with stress
These coping strategies may temporarily reduce stress, but they cause more damage in the long run:
• Smoking
• Drinking too much
• Overeating or undereating
• Zoning out for hours in front of the TV or computer
• Withdrawing from friends, family, and activities
• Using pills or drugs to relax
• Sleeping too much
• Procrastinating
• Filling up every minute of the day to avoid facing problems
• Taking out your stress on others (lashing out, angry outbursts, physical violence)
The information contained in this article is designed for reference purposes only. It should not be used as, in place of or in conjunction with professional medical advice regarding a treatment or cure for stress. For additional information, a diagnosis and/or treatment advice, consult a licensed physician.
Source: https://www.webmd.com
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