Stress has always been a part of our lives. In this difficult time, people lead an increasingly stressful life. Experts state that a little stress can be good; it keeps you sharp and ready to move forward and is sometimes vital for achieving optimum performance. However, medical research has determined that prolonged stress is very bad for the body, and can block the body’s natural ability to repair, regenerate and protect itself. Stress is both a physical and psychological response. It can lead to chronic disease, obesity, insomnia, deteriorating relationships, depression, and more.
Stress is such a powerful and harmful force that it is vital to your wellbeing that you learn effective stress management techniques to live a successful, happy, and healthy life. We must remember that we will always come across inevitable factors that cause pressure and anxiety on us. What we do not know is that it is not really the problems that are difficult to deal with, but our attitude towards them. So basically, the cause of stress is your attitude toward these things. What, then, is an effective way to deal with stressors?
Below are 4 great tips to handle stress.
1. Identify what makes you stressful and uneasy.Making a list of your stressful experiences is useful. Immediately deal with the issues that you can change, for instance waking up earlier for work in the morning, not leaving things till the last minute, and delegating tasks in case you are taking responsibility for everything. Forget about the issues that you cannot influence like being stuck in a traffic jam or not getting into the elevator because there is no room for you.
2. Relax and Calm Down. A few minutes break would do you good. Wash your face, breath slowly and deeply, and notice if there is tension in any part of your body and release it. You can also listen to relaxing music or call a friend. Releasing your feelings to a friend is another healthy option.
3. Notice that It will pass. it will be over before you know it. Reminding yourself that the stressful event will end sooner or later can make you see the positive sides of things. At the same time, calm down your emotions and think of what the best thing is to do rather than take your energy away from what needs to be done.
4. Know yourself. Ask yourself: What triggers my anxiety? If for example it is your job, then maybe it’s time for you to reconsider whether it would be best to find a less stressful job. You can also make your job more tolerable by allowing yourself to get that needed holiday or even a few days off. If it is the home environment, maybe that too needs to be factored in and look at routines that may need to change or even established.
The true causes of stress are not the problems or negative experiences that you encounter in your life; but your attitude towards them. So, the trick is to change your attitude and to develop a relaxed state, because you cannot be stressed and relaxed at the same time. It is important to understand that what we focus on, we energise. The more you continue to think about the factors that cause your stress, the more energy you give to it. it is therefore vital for your wellbeing to let go and focus on relaxation instead. Consequently, you’re less likely to be upset by a stressor, and thus less likely to have its harmful effect re-occur. Eventually, it is your choice. You could either continue to react in the same stressful way, or you could choose to improve your life by changing your attitude and learning relaxation.