Managing Stress
We all know that life is not a bed of roses and this saying certainly applies to every one of us. Life tends to show us things which we would have never wished to see and in situations which we never imagined to face. With the stakes getting higher each day and the struggle to reach the top becoming tougher, many of us find that life isn’t all what we dreamt about and tend to fall into the dark and deep valley of stress. But there is certainly hope out there. We can make things easier for ourselves if we put in a little effort. There are few sure shot ways to combat and manage stress. Let’s look at some of them.
1. Master the art of forgiving: One needs to take note of the fact that holding on to hurt and anger within can do a lot more harm to you then the one’s towards whom the anger is aimed at. In other words you are punishing yourself by engaging in this habit of not forgiving. Forgiveness is the first step towards reclaiming your peace of mind and letting go of the angry feelings that plague your conscience. The very habit of ours to hold on to grudges tends to keep us away from being happy as we seethe with feelings of revenge and jealousy. Refraining yourself from getting engulfed by these feelings will set you on a road that will help you see the world in a new light which will be brighter then ever.
2. Make it a habit to Laugh: “Laughter is the best medicine”, is probably the phrase we have been listening since childhood. In truth though, it is not merely just an old saying, but very much a medically proven fact. Laughter does lead to decrease in the cortisol hormones level which is induced by stress and it increases serotonin levels that make us feel better. Humor also helps in increasing pain tolerance and boosts up the immunity levels.
3. Keep up with good friends: Having a good bunch of friends around you can certainly help you in avoiding stress all through your life. Friends not only act as pillars of support that you can fall back on in bad times but they also help you in identifying your short-comings which might be the underlying reasons for your worries and concerns. Thus being part of a social circle is as important a factor to evade stress as is any other factor mentioned here.
4. Take out time for exercise: Exercise certainly qualifies as one tool that guarantees instant feeling of joy and happiness. Studies world over have revealed that a daily routine even 20 minutes of mild exercise helps in production of endorphins by the body which are chemical substances that make you happy and elated. So get out of that couch and bid adieu to stress forever.
5. Learn to say No: Just trying to make everyone happy can end leaving you stressed and discouraged. You must understand what requires a lot more attention on your part in a quest to be happy is to understand and respect what you like and what you are. So release yourself with the guilt of saying no and try to accept things which only you are comfortable with.
6. Try penning your thoughts in a journal: Recent studies have suggested that keeping note of your daily activities and streams of thoughts can help you ward off stress. Many psychologists believe that repressing difficult emotions and problems that haunt you can create stress while writing about them goes a long way in defusing their detrimental effects on your mind and body. So its time grab a pen and let yourself go.
7. Adopt a pet: Having a pet at home can really help in brightening up your mood and keeping stress at bay. Moreover, keeping a pet also encourages you to go out and exercise, which in itself can do wonders for you as we read above. Pets play a great role in getting rid of loneliness and provide unconditional love that will keep you happy. In addition to this they can also act as an aid to creating a good friend circle as one would tend to meet up with new people while they are out for a walk with their pets.
8. Avoid the burnout syndrome: Today’s job scenario and cut-throat competition does pose a serious threat of experiencing a burnout syndrome which can rob you off your happiness and trouble you with stress related issues. Thus, it is essential to understand your limits and set a benchmark for yourself above which you should not be willing to take up any more work - no matter how lucrative the rewards may be.
9. Give yourself a sound sleep treat: Robbing yourself of proper sleep can leave you with an irritating feeling which can worsen over time. Sufficient sleep not only helps your body in doing the repair job for the wear and tear it goes through the whole day but also brings a calming influence to the mind which can help you keep in good spirits for the whole day while you are awake.
10. Smile: As the old saying goes “A smile is a curve which can straighten a lot of things”, a smile does help you in taking difficult things and issues of life in your stride more easily. Furthermore, it has a positive effect on your personality and people tend to be drawn to you a lot more then before as they find you more friendly and accessible in nature. All in all, smiling is one habit you must not let go of if you wish to win your battle against stress.
11. Bring your senses into play: Taking help from your sense of touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing can benefit you in soothing your nerves and control the onset of stress in your life. That is particularly the reason why many people are taking up to unconventional ways of putting a lid on the stress induced symptoms. Aromatherapy happens to be one such treatment where the brain and the nervous system are stimulated by making the individual inhale the essence of oils that are rich with fragrances of spices, resins, herbs and flowers.
12. Rein in your anger: Anger and hostility towards others can compound your stress related problems. Hence it is essential to control your temper and make friends with everyone around you.
