Dealing With Stress

Everyone faces stressful situations.  It is just one of those unpleasant things in life that is often out of our control.  Your goal should be to minimize the chances of stress getting the better of you.  Stress can inevitably lead to a variety of ailments such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and it ruins general mental health as well. Depression, anxiety, irritability, and other emotional problems can all be triggered by it.  Your daily life can be affected negatively in so many ways if you don't learn to manage life's curveballs and stay calm and focused. 

  Stress management is the best thing that you can do to live a long and prosperous life. It is impossible to avoid stress completely but managing the stress you have in a better way can help it not be as painful and life threatening. Here are some stress management tips that you can incorporate into your life today so you can have a whole new outlook on life tomorrow:   -Take the time to relax. Everyone needs downtime to recharge their batteries.  While you may be very busy, you must make time for your body and mind to rest and repair itself. Stop worrying, and stop the running around.  Try to give yourself a few hours per week where you do absolutely nothing.  Also reserve time for yourself to engage in a hobby like reading, playing music, dancing, cooking etc…  

-Don't overload yourself.  Learn to say ''no'' to new responsibilities when your plate is already full. One of the main reasons why people feel burnt out or stressed is that they take on too many tasks at once and underestimate how much time and energy they will need to complete them.  Be realistic and don't overextend yourself.  If you cannot handle all the work, admit it.  Do not wear yourself out, and begin delegating immediately.

-Engage in physical activity.  Exercise plays a key role in minimizing the damage that stress does to our health. When you go to the gym, play sports, practise martial arts etc… endorphins are released by the brain.  These chemicals are associated with pain relief and euphoria. Endorphin levels rise significantly both in the brain and in the body as a result of physical activity. When you make exercise a constant in your life, increased endorphin levels will benefit your health by calming you down. -Purchase stress relief products and place them where you need them. For example, a stress relief ball is an ideal tool to have on hand always. It will allow you to work through your stress, making it much less and much more capable of being dealt with. Take one to work, have one near anything that causes you stress.  You can set up a punching bag at home and go to town on it when wanting to release any aggression. 

Other ways to relieve stress include deep breathing exercises, reading, getting out into nature, filling your home with plants/flowers, the calming effects of light music, watching a funny movie, cooking, dancing, getting a pet, spending time with your kids, family, close friends etc…each individual has their own method. Other ways to relieve stress are yoga, acupuncture, and massages. Do your research and make sure these things are right for you.  If so seek the help of a certified professional.