What would help when stress comes your way...
You may feel there’s nothing you can do about stress. But you have more control over stress than you might think. Stress management is all about taking charge: of your lifestyle, thoughts, emotions, and the way you deal with problems. No matter how stressful it might seems, there are steps you can take to relieve the pressure and regain control.
#1: Get moving
Best way is exercising which gives you a healthy body as benefit. In this case, any type of physical activity would do the job. What we need here is the level of exercise that would elevate your heart rate & make you sweat out which releases endorphins that boost your mood, relieve stress, give you more energy & optimism. It will burn away anger, tension & frustration. Maximum benefit comes at about 30 minutes of exercising, but you can start from small & build up your fitness level gradually. Remember here, the key is moderation. This word, you will find me mention it many times, it is good for everything in life. For someone who has condition that can’t exercise much, start small & be comfortable about it. The key is to get yourself up & start moving.
#2: Engage socially
Social engagement is the quickest and most efficient way to handle stress and avoid overreacting to internal or external events that you perceive as threatening. Communicating with another human being who makes you feel safe and understood would be the most soothing & help to calm your nerves effectively. Reach out to family & friends to connect with them regularly in person. The people you talk to don’t have to be able to fix your stress; they just need to be good listeners. Opening up is not a sign of weakness and it won’t make you a burden to others. In fact, most friends will be flattered that you trust them enough to confide in them, and it will only strengthen your bond. Remember, it’s never too late to build new friendships and improve your support network.
#3: Avoid unnecessary stress
While stress is an automatic response from your nervous system, some stressors arise at predictable times such as your commute to work or a meeting with your boss. When handling such predictable stressors, you can either change the situation or change your reaction. When deciding which option to choose in any given scenario, it’s helpful to think of the four A's: Avoid if you could, Alter if possible, Adapt yourself to it, or Accept it & move on.
#4: Make time for fun and relaxation
Beyond a take-charge approach and a positive attitude, you can reduce stress in your life by nurturing yourself. If you regularly make time for fun and relaxation, you’ll be in a better place to handle life’s stressors. Each day you should set aside relaxation time, make time for leisure activities that bring you joy & keep your sense of humor! I personally have lot of crafty projects in my agenda to finish and most of the time when you focus on something you love, time just gone by so fast.
#5: Adopt a healthy lifestyle
These easy 4 things to remember for adapting to your lifestyle that always good for you.
1. Eat a healthy diet & drink plenty of water.
2. Reduce caffeine and sugar.
3. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs.
4. Get enough sleep. Your body will protest if you don't get enough of sleep and it shows.
Hope this information helpful to you in some way. Remember to start small and gradually add it up a notch. And yes, keep things in moderation. Treat yourself once in a while, pour yourself a glass of wine for your next meal with a good company. Cheers for a healthy you!
Resources and references: HelpGuide.Org
