How many times have you gotten angry at yourself for misplacing your keys, being late to meet a friend, or forgetting to pay a bill on time? Being angry at ourselves can be one of the most stressful experiences there is. We are our own worst critic. Trying to change this behavior for the better, even a little bit, can help you feel happier and less stressed. Try some of the following tips to get started.
A journal can help reduce stress. All it takes is a pen and paper and a few minutes to write down whatever is bothering you. Often just getting it out on paper puts things in a better perspective. Writing about our problems releases emotions that may otherwise be pent up, thus increasing our stress levels. Furthermore, seeing our problems on paper can sometimes allow us to see possible solutions to our problems.
A great way to help reduce your stress is to practice yoga. Yoga is the practice of bringing together your mind, body and soul. By practicing yoga, you will relax your mind and body, helping you to unwind and feel better about yourself and the world. All of this can be accomplished with a simple thirty minute yoga session.
To handle stress in your life, start by minimizing stress in your life. Something as simple as laying out your work clothing for the next day can give you a better start in the morning; it may give you a few extra minutes to relax as well, instead of running around looking for a stray shoe or favorite blue sweater.
A very simple way to reduce stress is to start your day ten or fifteen minutes earlier. By giving yourself that extra few minutes each day, you’ll have time to sit and enjoy your cup of coffee or give you a head start on your commute so you won’t have to battle traffic, therefore reducing your stress level. That extra time also gives you a chance to catch up on things that might not have gotten done the previous day. It’s amazing what a few short minutes each day can do for your stress levels!
Saying “no” more often will actually reduce the stress caused by giving in to things you really didn’t want to be obligated to and keep you from having to do them! When you are already pressed for time throughout your day, so saying “no” to offers people make that you are not actually interested in will give you more control and definitely less stress!
You can lower your stress level simply by keeping up with any repairs that need to be done. Imagine that three items need repaired, a task that is going to involve triple the time, money and energy to accomplish, and a task that is bound to increase your stress levels. It is also a situation that could be avoided if you kept up with repairs.
Music can help soothe your stresses. Music has the ability to affect us in various ways. There is evidence to suggest that the act of listening to music has a noticeable calming effect. People’s musical tastes differ widely; you need to figure out what sort of music works to calm you down and help you relax.
When it comes to dealing with stress consider meditation. This can be a great way to not only relax your body but also clear your mind of everything that might be causing you stress. Consider buying audio tapes or books to assist you with different ways of meditation.
A good tip that can keep your stress in check is to make sure you’re staying busy. If you have nothing but idle time on your hands, you’ll be surprised at how quickly you’ll become stressed out. Having something to look forward to can make you more relaxed.
A great tip that can help you keep your stress levels down is to not be so serious all the time. Enjoy a good laugh whenever you can and try to smile as much as possible. These simple acts can go a long way in keeping your stress down.
A great tip that can help you keep your stress down is to not take everything so personal all the time. Sometimes people will mistreat you because they’re having a bad day. You must be able to realize that their behavior has nothing at all to do with you.
Creative writing is an excellent outlet for dealing with stress. Writing poetry or keeping a journal can provide a way to express your feelings so that you can deal with them instead of keeping them bottled up inside. By writing down your problems and analyzing them, you can help reduce your stress.
As you can see, being kind to yourself really isn’t that hard, and it sure feels better than being stressed and angry. Don’t underestimate the ill effects of stress on your health. Factor the above tips into your daily habits, and you will be making a very positive investment in your health and your life.