Being stressed out is something that everyone can identify with. Stress can be an unwelcome companion, but if you think of ways to handle it well, you won’t even notice it’s there. Being prepared helps, and that’s where this article comes in. Here are some smart ways to cope with stress so that it won’t paralyze you.
Meditation can be a great way for you to relieve stress. Try meditating each night before you go to bed. Turn off anything around you, close your eyes, and clear out your mind. Don’t think about things you need to get done or problems that you need to solve. Just let your mind relax for a little while and focus on each breath. If your mind starts wondering, just bring it back to your breath. Shutting off your brain takes practice, but each practice session is working off your stress.
If at all possible, avoid negative people who only bring you down and stress you out! People with bad attitudes are often contagious and in order to preserve a positive attitude and keep yourself on track you need to keep away from them. A neighbor or co-worker who is always complaining is nearly always going to cause you stress so walk away!
When you are feeling down or stressed out, call your boyfriend or girlfriend and tell them how much you love them. This will put a smile on their face which will indirectly make you feel good about yourself. Call a loved one to maximize the way that you feel during the day.
Stress can have a very negative effect our digestive systems. According to the individual, stress might result in diarrhea or even constipation. When our digestive system isn’t working properly, this only adds to our stress, and the effect is a never-ending vicious circle. When you are experiencing problems such as these don’t ignore the fact that stress may be the root cause.
One great way to deal with stress is to try to visualize something calming. This is important because if you are somewhere that does not allow for some sort of physical relaxation, you can try to imagine it and calm yourself down. An example would be to imagine the relaxing nature of a hot shower while you are at an office meeting.
In it, record the jokes you hear and the funny situations you come across. It will be fun for you to review your journal, and when you document these enjoyable events, you will fix them firmly in your mind. This will help you see the fun side of life.
When there are a lot of issues on your mind, go out for a long night drive. Do not think about anything, just simply drive to clear your head. This is a great way for you to emotionally purge all of your troubles and help to put in focus what is important in your life.
If you’re stressed out often, a good way to reduce your stress is to get a pet. Playing with animals is proven to reduce stress and release endorphins in the brain, making you happier and healthier. Cats, dogs, birds, lizards, and any number of other animals can be a great way to de-stress your life.
A great way to reduce stress is to use meditation for stress relief. Meditation has been a part of many spiritual teachings for thousands of years, but it is not necessary to attach the religious aspects to it. With meditation a deep sense of relaxation can be achieved and it is very good for long term health and happiness.
Stand up for yourself when you need to. For instance, if you have a ton of work to get done before bed and a friend stops by to visit, tell them upfront that you have a busy night ahead and just don’t have time to talk. Or, if your child’s teacher asks you to help with the school play but your schedule is already full, tell the teacher that you appreciate being asked, but that you don’t have the time. Standing up for yourself is one of the best ways to reduce your overall stress.
Walk, bike, run or whatever! Just get out there and do it! A variety of stress hormones and neurochemicals build up in our bodies when we experience chronic stress. Exercise is one of the most effective ways to reduce these chemicals, one of the most effective ways to prevent significant stress-related damage to our health.
Use these tips to start coping with stress in a better way. When you start handling stress smartly, you will see that unwelcome companion start to retreat. Take it slow and don’t let stress take over your life. Take control and cope well so you can move on in a happier way.