5 tips to Manage Stress
STRESS…!! Is it just me or does everyone feel anxious while just uttering the word “stress”? I sometimes wonder what if stress is just an uncomfortable feeling similar to the one that we feel while trying on a new dress that is not the perfect fit, but how easily we roam around the store to find the perfect one that gives us that feeling of comfort and satisfaction. Now, this brings us to the next question, is it that simple to eliminate stress like finding the right fit? Well, I believe the answer is possibly yes.
Humans have the habit of thinking negatively before something bad actually happens. For instance, let us say, after giving the job interview for your dream company, that you have been preparing for a couple of months, it didn’t go as you expected, so you feel anxious, adrenaline rushing inside your body, thinking all the possible negative thoughts, not getting proper sleep, feeling immobile and all this before the actual result. So, when the result comes, it’s positive and all of those sleepless nights, not eating properly, and overthinking about the worst, all of it, for nothing.
Well, even if the result is negative, it will not be the end of the world. We need to accept that there are endless opportunities and overthinking, for sure, can’t help in the solution. On the contrary, it is responsible for bad mood and pressure on the brain that disturbs our normal thinking capability which may lead to poor decision making.
“Stress is not what happens to us. It’s our response TO what happens. And RESPONSE is something we can choose.”
— Maureen Killoran
Stress is just the emotion or the response of our body to the problems that come in front of us. The interesting thing is that our body is already designed to handle it by releasing a stress hormone, adrenaline as well as a stress-relieving hormone, oxytocin, which suggests it’s something natural and can’t be avoided. So, instead of taking it abnormally and being scared about it, let’s face it and ask yourself, what is it that can be done? Rather than being anxious and avoiding it, you’ll be able to try responding to that positively by:
- Connecting with your loved ones:
The best way to lower your stress hormone is by sharing your problems. It may well be financial issues, relationship issues or any painful instance that brings you to the current situation. Discussing your issues with your loved ones can help you deal with the situation, and it works like therapy. Believe it or not, sometimes all you would like is simply a conversation to settle the items going around you.
2. Listen to music:
Listening to music can help you relax. If you feel a sense of immobility and do not feel like talking, try switching on the music. It can help you cool down your thoughts and perhaps you’ll be able to think through things.
3. Make a list of the issues:
“When you find yourself stressed, ask yourself one question: Will this matter in 5 years from now? If yes, then do something about the situation. If not, then let it go.”
―Catherine Pulsifer
Stress is the end result of all the problems piling up within the brain. So, to seek out the answer, you initially have to find the matter. What you would like to try and do is simply write down all the problems that led to the situation and analyse if you can do something. If yes, then try to create a road map, prioritise the tasks, and start working on it, and if not, then just throw it out of your mind.
4. Talk to yourself:
We are usually so busy with our everyday tasks that there is hardly any time left to spend with the most amazing person-yourself! Self-talk plays a really important role in evaluating us. It helps to understand our goals, desires or problems.
Modern lifestyles and hectic schedules have made us so busy pleasing others that we’ve got left ourselves far behind. Having “me” time can help you concentrate well and also enhance your problem-solving skills, which might help you deal with the circumstances.
5. Trust Yourself:
Do you know you can face all the challenges that come ahead by just trusting yourself? But this is something that we usually forget. We forget to “believe in ourselves”.
You should be confident enough in your abilities and try to find opportunities irrespective of how difficult the situation is. After all, this is often how you’ll believe yourself.
CONCLUSION:
The bottom line is that stress is important because it keeps a person motivated if handled positively. However, it can also prove to be harmful if not responded to properly and might be a reason behind life-threatening diseases, including cardiovascular diseases.
So, once you feel yourself trapped in the situation where you can’t handle your thoughts or your ability to think is getting blurred, try any of these tips or in the worst situations, get an expert’s help to figure out a solution to escape from it as soon as possible.
Believe it or not, changing your thoughts about stress can change how your body responds to it. Kelly McGonigal discusses it in Tedx “How to Make Stress Your Friend,” saying, “Changing your belief about stress can make you healthier.” Hence, the bad you’re thinking about it, the worse it’ll become.
