Stress is a normal aspect of our everyday lives. A little bit of stress may be beneficial, but too much of it can lead to serious health complications. While we can’t predict the kind of stress we need to face every day, we can control how we respond to it. Here are some simple tips to help you manage your daily stressors.
Know your triggers
The first step you need to take to manage your stress efficiently is to identify your triggers. Take a step back and try to think of what normally stresses you out. Are you having difficulty balancing your personal and work life? Do you have several daily work tasks? Are your family members constantly wearing you out?
Determine what makes you anxious and when it usually happens. To help you identify your daily stressors, try writing them down. Start a daily journal and list down the activities that tend to make you uneasy and agitated. By documenting them, you might be able to see a pattern, which can help you devise a way to handle them. If you cannot completely remove all of your stressors, then do your best to minimize them.
Practice self-care
Self-care goes beyond pampering yourself on a regular basis. It is more about taking care of your overall well-being. If you want to handle your stress more proficiently, it is important that you focus and prioritize your emotional, physical, social, psychological, and mental health. Here are some self-care ideas you can try:
- Make sure to exercise for at least 30 minutes, daily. It doesn’t have to be a full-body workout. It can be as simple as going for a night run around your neighborhood, playing with your toddler, or walking your dog at the park. The important thing is you move your body daily.
- Eat a well-balanced diet and stay hydrated. As much as possible, stay away from processed foods as they can make you feel lethargic and place you in a bad mood. Lessen your salt and sugar intake, and reduce your fat consumption.
- Limit your alcohol intake. Alcohol can temporarily manage your stress, but after a while, your body adapts, making you more tolerant to its effects. In addition, drinking too much can cause irreversible damage to your health.
- Allot time for your hobbies. Engaging in activities that bring you joy can significantly lower your stress levels. If you devote too much time and effort to one area of your life, chances are you’ll become upset if things do not go your way. Whether it’s reading, watching a movie, cooking, baking, painting, traveling, listening to music, or gardening, make sure you incorporate your hobbies into your daily routine.
Manage your time wisely
One significant cause of stress is poor time management. Managing your time wisely, especially if you have a heavy workload, can help you reduce your stress levels. As adults, we tend to stretch ourselves to the point where we can no longer proficiently handle all of our responsibilities. List down your priorities, and set a feasible timeline for each of them. Try to limit your distractions and learn to say no to unrealistic requests, regardless of whether they came from your loved ones.
Set daily realistic expectations
Another major cause of stress is having too many unrealistic expectations. Aside from saying no to unnecessary demands from your family and friends, you should also avoid taking on too many financial responsibilities, especially if you are not in an excellent position to do so. Financial stress can sometimes be more dangerous, so it is vital that you stay realistic with your finances.
Do not over analyze things
A study shows that overthinking can significantly contribute to severe anxiety and depression. Thinking or analyzing something for too long can be exhausting. It is also unproductive and impedes you from being able to make informed decisions. When faced with a difficult decision, do your best to think objectively and avoid letting your emotions take over.
Be mindful of how you talk to yourself
Whenever we get stressed, we tend to talk negatively about ourselves. If you want to manage your stress more efficiently, you must change how you speak to yourself. Avoid using words like “I can’t” or “this is too much.” Try to talk to yourself as you would to a friend in need. Use soothing words and avoid belittling yourself.
Take breaks to recharge
Handling too many daily tasks can leave you restless and tired. You must give yourself some time to disconnect so that you can recharge and reset. Aside from engaging in your hobbies, consider practicing mindfulness activities such as deep breathing, yoga, and meditation. These methods will not only help you relax, but they can also clear your mind from worries so you can be mindful of your present. If you have time and money to spare, consider going on vacation, even for just a few days. By traveling or taking a vacation, you physically and mentally disconnect from your current stressful environment, allowing you to breathe and bounce back.
Pause and step back to assess the situation
Oftentimes, uncontrollable situations in your life can make you feel helpless and insecure about your future. Whenever we are placed in an unexpected scenario, we tend to make the problem more significant than it actually is. If you want to manage your stress effectively, you must place the issue in perspective first. Pause for a moment, breathe, and ask yourself if this problem will still matter after five or 10 years. It may be difficult initially, especially if it is something that affects your loved ones. The important thing is you try to adopt an optimistic mindset to your current situation.
Build a positive support system
Talking about your problems can help in reducing your stress. Make sure to reach out to the people whom you trust the most. It can be your family members, friends, colleagues, or members of your community. There are also several online support groups that can help if ever you are uncomfortable opening up with your loved ones. It is essential that you choose individuals that have a positive outlook on life. Take a closer look at the people around you. Do they bring you down constantly? Do you tend to hide your emotions whenever you are with them?
Building a circle of supportive individuals can be challenging initially, but it will be worth it in the long run. Do not be afraid of severing ties with people in your life that frequently harm your mental and emotional well-being. If at some point, you feel that your stress is starting to become chronic, it might be better to seek the help of a professional.
A therapist or counselor may be able to provide you with healthy strategies that are tailored to your needs and situation. In addition, there are also several over-the-counter medications or supplements such as porcine glandular that can aid in managing your stress. Make sure to consult with your doctor before taking any medication.
Learning how to handle your stress doesn’t happen overnight, but with constant effort, persistent dedication, and a positive mindset, you will be able to deal with your stress more efficiently.
