October 23, 2021 l by Tara E.
How good are you at stress management? The capacity to control your stress is not as easy as we might believe. Stress lives somewhere in everything we do. Whether dealing with family, friends, or co-workers, stress finds a way to embed itself in some nook or cranny of our world.
Finding a safe and healthy way to deploy stress management techniques can go a long way to spare you from encountering unwieldy side effects.
Control Your Stress with a New Attitude
Become a Problem Solver. Stress management demands that we develop an awareness for what causes us stress. You can start by drafting a list of the things that cause you stress. From your list, figure out which problems you can solve now and which are beyond your control for the moment.
You should begin with the little ones or those things known as low-hanging fruit. Learn how to calmly look at a problem, think of possible solutions, and take action to solve the problem. Being able to solve small problems will give you the confidence to tackle the big ones. And feeling confident that you can solve problems will go a long way to helping you feel less stressed.
Get organized. Think ahead about how you’re going to spend your time. Look for new ways to get organized. Start by writing a to-do list. Figure out what’s most important to do and do those things first.
Set limits. Don’t sacrifice your self-empowerment. When it comes to things like work and family, stress management requires you to figure out what you can really do. There are only so many hours in the day. Set limits for yourself and others. Don’t be afraid to say NO to requests for your time and energy.
Learn How to Relax
Take deep breaths. If you’re feeling stressed, taking a few deep breaths can assist you in purposefully slowing down your breathing, allowing your muscles to relax. Consider adding mindful meditation to your daily routine. Mindful meditation can help you lay the foundation for practicing breathing methods that help you to control your stress levels while simultaneously relaxing your mind.
Stretch. Stretching can also help relax your muscles and make you feel less tense.
Massage tense muscles. Having someone massage the muscles in the back of your neck and upper back can help you feel less tense.
Take time to do something you want to do. We all have lots of things that we have to do. But often we don’t take the time to do the things that we really want to do. It could be listening to music, reading a good book, or going to a movie. Think of this as an order from your doctor, so you won’t feel guilty!
Take Care of Your Body
Get some sleep. Identify new ways to sleep better. Getting enough sleep helps you recover from the stresses of the day. Also, being well-rested helps you think better so that you are prepared to handle problems as they come up. Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night to feel rested.
Eat right. Try to fuel up with fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. Don’t be fooled by the jolt you get from caffeine or high-sugar snack foods. Your energy will wear off, and you could wind up feeling more tired than you did before.
Get moving. Getting physical activity can not only help relax your tense muscles but improve your mood. Research shows that physical activity can help relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Don’t deal with stress in unhealthy ways. This includes drinking too much alcohol, using drugs, smoking, or overeating.
Connect with Others
Share your stress. Talking about your problems with friends or family members can sometimes help you feel better. They might also help you see your problems in a new way and suggest solutions that you hadn’t thought of.
Get help from a professional if you need it. If you feel that you can no longer cope, talk to your doctor. She or he may suggest counseling to help you learn better ways to deal with stress. Your doctor may also prescribe medicines, such as antidepressants or sleep aids.
Help others. Volunteering in your community can help you make new friends and feel better about yourself.
Forgive Yourself. Forgive yourself for all of the mistakes you make today and will make tomorrow and the next day.