Why is Stress Management Important?
Stress is a factor that is present in almost everyone’s life. Yet many people tend to put it in a box and place the thought of it in the corner of their minds! That is not the most excellent idea because stress can affect both your financial account and your bodily actions. It can leave you with devastating results if you don’t manage it. If you want to avoid the negative impacts of stress, such as exhaustion, lousy judgment, health issues, and psychological problems, try stress management. It is the key to leading a healthier life!
Get to Know Yourself
Before we dive into some practices that can aid you in reducing stress, it is essential to do some homework beforehand. Now by homework, we do not mean that grab a pen and paper and start learning the definition of stress management, but more of getting to know yourself sort of homework. The best way of tackling any kind of obstacle in your life is to learn to accept that there is an external force that is trying to stop you, or in this case, internal.
Find the Cause of Stress
You must accept that you are stressed so that you can move on to phase two and find out the cause of stress. This step takes more time, rather than assuming that it might be work or family issues, try to dig deep into it, and take time to reflect. While assessing the real source of stress, look beneath the surface to get there. It is essential so that you are aware of it in the future.
List Things Down
Now is the time for you to grab a pen and paper. Once you have established what is causing you this significant burden that is restraining your activities and productivity, jot down ways that you are currently using to cope with it. If you are not doing anything, write that down. Put to paper whatever it is that you are using as a coping mechanism, and ask yourself if it is working or not? In most cases, it is not working. That’s why we have a list of techniques that will help you glide through the process of stress management.
Methods of Stress Management
Physical Activity
Dance! Join a sport! Hit the gym! The world is your oyster. You just have to make the pick. Did you know that increasing physical activity can help reduce stress? How is that you might be wondering? Taking part in physical activities helps with shifting your focus from whatever is stressing you out to more productive things. For example, if you give a specific time to a sport, you will have less time to worry or overthink about other things. Moreover, it helps reduce levels of frustrations because of endorphins. It is a hormone that helps release stress and makes one happy. Physical activity really can do wonders for you when it comes to stress management. What some individuals do not know is that, by physical activities, we do not mean to train yourself for a full-time sport. It can be as simple as just cycling to the grocery store. So, next time you want to buy a carton of milk, rather than taking the car, brisk walk to the store or cycle there. Trust us. You will come home with milk and a fresh mind! Give yourself an outlet for that built-up stress, transform it into positive energy, and use it to your advantage.
Distance Yourself from Situations That Cause You Stress
Think back to your homework assignment, a part of that was figuring out what aggravates your stress levels and causes them to rise if getting late to a party, meeting, or place where you are supposed to then avoid that situation by leaving home early. It will help keep your stress in check. Just by avoiding situations that add fire to your weight, you can do wonders for yourself. Next time you are walking in the office and see a colleague who drives you crazy, just take a different path! Finding alternatives that will help you stay away from stressful situations is what you need for the betterment of your health and state of mind. Rather than diving into a pool of stress, just walk around it!
Increase Positive Social Activity
There is a tendency amongst us, humans, that when we are sad, upset, or stressed, we like to stay alone. Admit it, you cancel plans and curl up in bed, just because something stresses you out. Next time you feel that your stress levels are rising, do not do that. Instead, pick up your phone, call your best pals and make plans to meet up with them. You probably think that this will just add to your stress, but it is the exact opposite. Increasing social activity helps keep your mind off things that are causing you to worry. If you are panic-stricken about a big project and cannot get any sleep, FaceTime, a friend, and see the difference, communicating with others is what you need during times like this; it will help boost your spirit. Not only that, but talking helps. If you tell somebody about what is stressing you out, they can provide you with ways to fix it or cope with it. When you are down, turn to people dealing with situations just like yours. That is why people give such high regard to support groups; it is a place where everybody is open to building new relationships and communicating on common grounds.
Adapt to the Situation
Although we did include avoiding the stressful situation as a means to manage stress, that is not possible in every case. Suppose your boss is the person who is stressing you out. Now you can quit your job so you will not have to deal with him/her ever again. However, you will be hit with a storm of stress brought about by unemployment. Therefore, in circumstances such as these, a door that is open for you is the door of adaptation. Rather than overthinking and dwelling on the situation, come up with things that can help you adapt. You can try using a fidget spinner to help release anxiety. You can also start writing a journal. That will help you pour out your feelings and keep your emotions in control. Anything that enables you to stay calm and controlled is on the table, as long as it helps you adapt as well.
Time Management
This one is for all of you workaholics out there! A beneficial technique of stress management is that of time management. If you plan out your day and tag specific time to certain activities, not only will you have more time on your hands, but you will help yourself in stress management! Having more time means that you can focus on other things rather than that one activity that is making your brain boil. For instance, if you have two weeks before a project deadline, chalk out two hours a day to work on it and spend the rest of the time working on other essential tasks. This way, you will not be wrapped around the project 24/7, causing your head to explode, and you will not be leaving your work till the last minute.
Professional Help
In stress management, it is never wrong to ask for help! If you have a stomach ache, you go to the doctor to get checked, right? Just like that, if your head is not in the right place, and you are dealing with increasing levels of stress, getting a professional opinion is required. Even while implementing the techniques mentioned above, going to therapy and talking about it will most definitely be beneficial for you! Do let us know if these suggestions helped you keep your stress levels balanced!