The first step in dealing with stress is recognizing that it’s there. Everyone feels stress in a different way. Figure out your signs of stress and once you know what signals to look for, you can start with stress management. Also, recognize the situations that make you stressed. These are called stressors. Your stressors could be family, work, relationships, money, or health problems. Once you understand what is causing you stress, dealing with stress attains pace.
AVOID UNHEALTHY STRESS RELIEF
Your stress may get worse if you decide to fall back on unhealthy habits to help you calm down. These may include:
- Eating excessively
- Smoking cigarettes and tobacco
- Drinking alcohol or using drugs
- Sleeping too much or too less
These behaviors may help you feel better initially, but they may render more harm than benefits. Instead, you can use the stress management techniques below to bust your stress.
Also Read: HOW TO MANAGE STRESS
HEALTHY STRESS BUSTERS
Try a few of the following stress management techniques and witness which ones work the best for you.
Recognize the things you can’t change
Accepting the fact that certain things are out of your control and you can’t change them helps you to let go and not spoil your mood.
Avoid stressful situations
Whenever possible, distance yourself from the cause of stress.
Get exercise
Giving a boost to your body by performing physical activities every day is one of the easiest and best ways for dealing with stress.
Exercise stimulates your brain to release chemicals that make you feel good. It also helps you get rid of the built-up energy or frustration.
Find something you enjoy, it may be walking, cycling, softball, swimming, or dancing and do it for at least 30 minutes on most days of a week for several weeks.
Change your outlook
Try to build up a more positive outlook towards challenges of life by replacing negative thoughts with positive ones.
Do something you enjoy
When stress makes you feel low, do something you enjoy to cheer you up. It could be as simple as reading a good book, watching a favorite movie, listening to music, or having dinner with a friend. Or, engage in a new hobby or class. Whatever you decide to go for, just practice it regularly.
Learn new ways to relax
Practicing relaxation techniques is a wonderful way of dealing with stress as they help slow your heart rate and reduce your blood pressure.
Get enough sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep can help you think more clearly and have more energy. Sleep for about 7 to 9 hours each night.
Eat a healthy diet
Eating healthy foods helps fuel your body and mind. Skip the high-sugar snack foods and load up on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat or nonfat dairy, and lean proteins.
Let your feelings out
Write, talk, laugh, cry, and express anger when you necessitate to. Talking with friends, family, a counselor, therapist, colleague or a member of the clergy about your feelings helps in stress management.
Also Read: Born to Fly: Break the Chains of Stress
RESOURCES
If you can’t manage stress on your own, you may want to talk with your health care provider. Or consider seeing a therapist or counselor who can help you find other ways to deal with your stress. Depending on the cause of your stress, you also may find it helps to join a support group.
Conclusion:
Elimination of stress is unrealistic since stress is a part of normal life. It’s impossible to get rid of stress completely however, we can learn stress management techniques and other methods to manage stress so that we have control over our stress and its effects on our physical and mental health.f from the cause of stress.
