Lifetime Art Impressions, LLC photo
I felt it is time to offer a stress management article and I really
like the insight I found online.
For me, I handle a lot of stress and in the past I
didn’t handle it so well and it took a toll on my health. Today I am much
better at addressing what I need to and pushing through or surrendering to it
when necessary and then allowing a higher power to handle what is out of my
hands.
HelpGuide.org details some really good advice on stress
management.
• “Learn
how to say “no” – Know your limits and stick to them. Whether in your
personal or professional life, taking on more than you can handle is a surefire
recipe for stress.
• Avoid
people who stress you out – If someone consistently causes
stress in your life and you can’t turn the relationship around, limit the
amount of time you spend with that person or end the relationship entirely.
• Take
control of your environment – If the evening news makes you
anxious, turn the TV off. If traffic’s got you tense, take a longer but
less-traveled route. If going to the market is an unpleasant chore, do your
grocery shopping online.
• Avoid
hot-button topics – If you get upset over religion or politics, cross them
off your conversation list. If you repeatedly argue about the same subject with
the same people, stop bringing it up or excuse yourself when it’s the topic of
discussion.
• Pare
down your to-do list – Analyze your schedule, responsibilities, and daily
tasks. If you’ve got too much on your plate, distinguish between the “shoulds”
and the “musts.” Drop tasks that aren’t truly necessary to the bottom of the
list or eliminate them entirely…
• Express
your feelings instead of bottling them up. If something or someone is
bothering you, communicate your concerns in an open and respectful way. If you
don’t voice your feelings, resentment will build and the situation will likely
remain the same.
• Be
willing to compromise. When you ask someone to change their behavior, be
willing to do the same. If you both are willing to bend at least a little,
you’ll have a good chance of finding a happy middle ground.
• Be more
assertive. Don’t take a backseat in your own life. Deal with
problems head on, doing your best to anticipate and prevent them. If you’ve got
an exam to study for and your chatty roommate just got home, say up front that
you only have five minutes to talk.
• Manage
your time better. Poor time management can cause a lot of stress. When
you’re stretched too thin and running behind, it’s hard to stay calm and
focused. But if you plan ahead and make sure you don’t overextend yourself, you
can alter the amount of stress you’re under…
• Reframe
problems. Try to view stressful situations from a more positive
perspective. Rather than fuming about a traffic jam, look at it as an
opportunity to pause and regroup, listen to your favorite radio station, or
enjoy some alone time.
• Look at
the big picture. Take perspective of the stressful situation. Ask
yourself how important it will be in the long run. Will it matter in a month? A
year? Is it really worth getting upset over? If the answer is no, focus your
time and energy elsewhere.
• Adjust
your standards. Perfectionism is a major source of avoidable stress.
Stop setting yourself up for failure by demanding perfection. Set reasonable
standards for yourself and others, and learn to be okay with “good enough.”
• Focus on
the positive. When stress is getting you down, take a moment to
reflect on all the things you appreciate in your life, including your own
positive qualities and gifts. This simple strategy can help you keep things in
perspective…
• Don’t
try to control the uncontrollable. Many things in life are beyond our
control— particularly the behavior of other people. Rather than stressing out
over them, focus on the things you can control such as the way you choose to
react to problems.
• Look for
the upside. As the saying goes, “What doesn’t kill us makes us
stronger.” When facing major challenges, try to look at them as opportunities
for personal growth. If your own poor choices contributed to a stressful
situation, reflect on them and learn from your mistakes.
• Share
your feelings. Talk to a trusted friend face to face or make an
appointment with a therapist. The simple act of expressing what you’re going
through can be very cathartic, even if there’s nothing you can do to alter the
stressful situation. Opening up is not a sign of weakness and it won’t make you
a burden to others. In fact, most friends will be flattered that you trust them
enough to confide in them, and it will only strengthen your bond.
• Learn to
forgive. Accept the fact that we live in an imperfect world and that
people make mistakes. Let go of anger and resentments. Free yourself from
negative energy by forgiving and moving on…
• Set aside
relaxation time. Include rest and relaxation in your daily schedule.
Don’t allow other obligations to encroach. This is your time to take a break
from all responsibilities and recharge your batteries.
• Connect
with others. Spend time with positive people who enhance your life. A
strong support system will buffer you from the negative effects of stress.
• Do
something you enjoy every day. Make time for leisure activities
that bring you joy, whether it be stargazing, playing the piano, or working on
your bike.
• Keep
your sense of humor. This includes the ability to laugh at yourself. The act
of laughing helps your body fight stress in a number of ways…
• Exercise regularly. Physical
activity plays a key role in reducing and preventing the effects of stress.
Make time for at least 30 minutes of exercise, three times per week. Nothing
beats aerobic exercise for releasing pent-up stress and tension.
• Eat a healthy diet.
Well-nourished bodies are better prepared to cope with stress, so be mindful of
what you eat. Start your day right with breakfast, and keep your energy up and
your mind clear with balanced, nutritious meals throughout the day.
• Reduce
caffeine and sugar. The temporary "highs" caffeine and sugar
provide often end in with a crash in mood and energy. By reducing the amount of
coffee, soft drinks, chocolate, and sugar snacks in your diet, you’ll feel more
relaxed and you’ll sleep better.
• Avoid
alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. Self-medicating with alcohol or
drugs may provide an easy escape from stress, but the relief is only temporary.
Don’t avoid or mask the issue at hand; deal with problems head on and with a
clear mind.
Get enough sleep.
Adequate sleep fuels your mind, as well as your body. Feeling tired will
increase your stress because it may cause you to think irrationally.”
I try to be conscientious about my self-care routine by
including this type of stress relief: meditate/pray, exercise, eat healthy,
creative activities, gift myself downtime, sleep at least 7 hours a night on
average, explore/travel, spend time with loved ones, and volunteer in my
community, among other self indulgences like massage, Chia tea, good books etc.
What are you doing in your life to balance the stress? I’m curious.
