Stress is defined as a state of mental and emotional strain. It is your psychological and physiological reply to the stressors in your environs.
A person suffered from stress when he or she is subjected to demanding circumstances or adverse situations which he cannot efficiently manage.
Stress and pressures are already a part of an individual’s daily life. It keeps you alert and cautious when you need to think or act swiftly.
Common Stressors
There are so many stressors around us; hence, we cannot avoid stress completely. Usually, the common causes of stress are health problems, work or career, relationships, internal conflicts, financial circumstances, life changes, social dealings and even your physical environment.
So, since it is impossible to totally get away from stress, it is best that you know how to manage and handle stressful situations.
Healthy Ways of Coping with Stress
Identify your stressors
Know the things or circumstances that put you under pressure. In knowing and understanding why these can give you stress, you can evade them. Or, you can find ways how to handle them.
Engage in regular exercise
By exercising, stress hormones are released from your body. It also elevates the endorphin levels, the hormones responsible for feelings of happiness.
Choose exercises that fit your fitness level. Brisk walking, dancing, swimming, biking and jogging are some of the exercises that you can do. Ideally, you should reach a heart rate of 120 to 160 beats per minute during your exercise.
Get enough rest and sleep
Sleep is vital to your body’s recuperation and to recharge energy reserves. If you do not have adequate sleep, stress is utilized by your body to stay alert. Lack of sleep can intensify the strain on you.
In general, 7-8 hours of sleep are needed by adults, while young children and older adults required 9-10 hours of sleep every night.
Regular sleeping habits like going to bed and waking up at the same time in the evening and in the morning will help you in getting better sleep.
Eat nourishing foods
The human body must be nourished and fueled by healthy foods so it can manage stress. Eat a healthy breakfast by consuming complex carbohydrates, protein, fruits and vegetables. Also, consume nourishing snacks.
Drink enough water to aid in preventing the creation of cortisol, the stress hormone. Decrease your alcohol and caffeine intake.
Also, eating several small meals throughout the day is better than having three large meals because it gives you the energy reserves to deal with stress.
Relax your body
One way of lessening stress is by body relaxation. As you are relaxing, listen to soft and soothing music or any music that makes you happy. Or if not, you can think of something beautiful and tranquil which you can make you feel at peace like serene but colorful mountain views, panoramic countryside and pristine beaches. You may also recall joyful moments in your past.
Taking a bath and relaxing your body in the water will also help relieve stress. Likewise, indulging in a stress-relieving massage will help you freshen up.
Do your favorite hobbies and pastimes
Doing the things you enjoy will get your mind off the things that disturb you.
Even if you have a hectic day-to-day schedule, you can fix a small break of 10 to 30 minutes to engage in your hobby or the things you loved to do. Set aside time for yourself. Your break may be in a matter of a few minutes, but it can help you in revitalizing yourself.
Talk to friends and loved ones
Do not keep things to yourself. Reach out to your colleagues, friends and loved ones for help. Your family and true friends will understand you and extend help if possible.
Do not isolate yourself. Engage in fun or physical activities with your loved ones to lessen the tension you are feeling.
Practice meditation and yoga
Alleviate stress by meditating and practicing yoga at the same time. Unburden your body’s muscles by doing progressive muscle relaxation. This is done by tensing your muscles for ten seconds and then, slowly loosening up.
How to manage your stress and the stressful situation
Often times, surrounding yourself with positive people can help in managing stress. Do not always take things too seriously. You have to develop a sense of humor and know how to laugh once in a while.
Look at the good aspects of life. Count your blessings and you will realize life is not that bad after all.
Helping others or doing a volunteer community work is one way of handling stress. You may change your viewpoint if you see other people who are in situations worse than yours. By helping others, you can get the feeling of happiness and increased self-worth.
Reduce your life strains by being in-charge. You have to tackle the causes of the pressure. Look for solutions for mitigating, if not resolving the situation.
Lessen the impact of stress by learning to accept things the way they are. You cannot alter difficult circumstances just by yourself. Focus on improving yourself rather than changing those which you cannot control.
Accept reality even if you find it difficult. It is only in admitting the real situation and expressing pent up emotions where you can be in charge and find a solution.
Although stress is conceived as a threat to a person’s well-being, do not take it negatively. Some stress keeps you away from boredom and gets you going. Pressures in life also aid in self-actualization and personality development.
There is no single method for handling stress that applies to everyone in a given situation. Each individual has his/her own separate response to pressure. You can try various stress coping strategies and select a method that makes you self-composed and in control.
The best things you can do in dealing with stress are to take care and love yourself, organize your life and maintain a positive attitude. Furthermore, learn how to manage stress effectively!
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