It may seem that there’s nothing you can do about your stress level. The bills aren’t going to stop coming, there will never be more hours in the day for all your errands, and your career or family responsibilities will always be demanding. But you have a lot more control than you might think. In fact, the simple realization that you’re in control of your life is the foundation of stress management.
Here are a few ways in which you can cope with stress :
Identify Unhealthy Coping Mechanism
- Social withdrawal
- Oversleeping
- Overeating sweet or fatty foods
- Mindlessly watching the TV without caring what you watch
- Using medication to relax you
- Smoking
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Taking out stress on others (e.g. in arguments or furious outbursts)
Be Physically Active
- Dance to your favorite song
- Walk to the store instead of driving
- Walk your dog, or borrow someone else’s for half an hour
- Take the stairs every time there’s an option
- Find an exercise buddy, and go to classes together
Build and Maintain Relationships
- Ask a colleague to lunch
- Call, text or email an old friend to catch up
- Invite your exercise buddy for a walk and a chat
- Schedule weekly meetups with at least one friend
- Get to know new people by signing up for an evening class or joining a club
- Consider volunteer work, which not only counteracts loneliness but also allows you to give back to the world in a way that’s profoundly satisfying.
Change Your Attitude
- Think positive thoughts and say positive things
- Stop overthinking every single thing
- Set “worry periods” only allow yourself to stress out for a short period of time a day instead of the whole day long
- Deliberately reframe life’s challenges – ask yourself what opportunities they might present
- Make a gratitude list – what are you thankful for?
- Engage in active problem solving
- Find lessons
- Put your problems into perspective – will you really care about the present difficulty in a month, or a year?
- Avoid perfectionism. Set yourself realistic, practical goals
Develop a “Stress Relief” Toolkit
- Walk in a naturally beautiful setting
- Meditate
- Interact with an animal
- Book yourself a massage
- Watch a comedy
- Contact one of your best friends
- Keep a journal
- Make a cup of herbal tea
- Have a hot bath with relaxing essential oils
- Read a good book
You can control your stress levels with relaxation techniques that evoke the body’s relaxation response, a state of restfulness that is the opposite of the stress response. Regularly practicing these techniques will build your physical and emotional resilience, heal your body, and boost your overall feelings of joy and equanimity.
Be Inspired..!! 
Leave a reply to aliterarybent Cancel reply