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.
Try seeking out humor to relieve your stress. Whether it’s reading jokes on the internet, watching a funny movie, or going to see a comedian, getting a dose of humor in your life can really help reduce the amount of stress. It’s been shown that if you laugh often, you won’t be as stressed out.
Your daily life will be less stressful if you keep the things around you in good repair. Think of three things in your life that could use repairs, then fix them! By doing so, you are eliminating three potential headaches further down the road.
If you are under pressure, one of the things that you can do is lift weights. When you contract your muscles, you will reduce the tension on your body and feel good about yourself. Do this in the comfort of your own home or at the gym to reduce stress levels.
Stop drinking caffeine. Don’t stop cold-turkey, gradually wean yourself, or you will get headaches that could last several days. Drinking less caffeine will help you deal with stress. Caffeine gets you amped up and can cause you to be irritated or stressed by things that normally wouldn’t stress you.
Take a mental break. Just daydream for a few minutes. Look outside and find something natural that allows your imagination to roam. Look at the wind blowing through the trees, or the clouds rolling by. Space out for a few minutes and it will help your stress level.
Many people turn to drugs and alcohol to help them when they are feeling stressed. These methods only provide temporary relief for those that use them. Alcohol and drugs though, are not the solution. These kind of products will only serve to cause more issues in the long run.
A great tip that can help you fight stress is to start practicing yoga. There are many varieties of yoga and they each have their own benefit. Most importantly you’ll be able to think more clearly. Keep your stress levels down by doing a little bit of yoga each day.
A good tip that can help you keep your stress levels down is to start forgiving people that have wronged you in the past. Holding onto grudges will keep you feeling stressed out. Get rid of all that negativity and start letting the past go. It can help you out a lot.
One great way to deal with stress is to learn to forgive people. This is important because often times holding grudges may prove to cause you more stress than if you just let it go. Decide for yourself if you are able to move on and try to do it as soon as possible.
A great tip that can help you combat stress is to stop watching the news. Have you ever noticed that the news always focuses on negative events? You might be influenced negatively by the news without even knowing it. Ditching the news can help you keep your stress in check.
Make it a habit to rate whatever is stressing you on a scale from one to ten. One being a very small issue while ten being a major stress breakdown. Often, you will find the stresses you have at hand will fall in the lower end of the spectrum. This is a great way to put your stressful situations into perspective.
Daydreaming is not just for kids! Find the time to close your eyes and relax. Allow your mind to wander wherever it wants to go and see whatever it wants to see. Using these types of techniques are a great way to deal with stress.
Go for a routine checkup to the eye doctor if you feel like your vision is causing you to feel strained during the day. Purchasing a pair of glasses or contacts can help a great deal in reducing the pressure and stress that you feel when at work or reading at school.
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.
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.