Everyone experiences stressful situations. Your body reacts to mild stress by increasing adrenaline, which makes you feel more alert and able to tackle problems. However, prolonged stress is very hard on the human body, it can cause you to experience a range of symptoms that including high blood pressure, headaches and nausea. Learning how to cope with stress is essential to your health and well-being.
A great way to reduce stress or to prevent it all together is to not worry about the little things in life. By worrying about every little thing that happens in your life, you are naturally increasing your stress levels and the pressure on yourself. A great practice to follow is to prioritize the things that are happening in your life by picking the few most important things you are going to worry about and the let the other little things happen. You can’t control or change everything in life, so by letting the little stuff go, you are also reducing your stress level.
A great and simple way to reduce your stress level is to take a break, even if it’s just a minute or two. By stepping away from a stressful situation, you are allowing yourself to rejuvenate and recover for a few short minutes. By letting your body relax and your stress hormones to reduce, you are giving yourself a fresh start at the project at hand. With a new perspective after your small break, you might find that the task at hand isn’t as stressful as it first seemed.
If your stress stems from issues at work or school, you should try to think optimistically. When you are skeptical, you only have negative thoughts internally, which can lead to fear and anxiety. Think positively about landing a deal or getting a good grade on a test to eliminate stress.
Limit the amount of alcohol that you drink during the course of the night when at the bar or club. When you consume alcohol, your stress levels will go up and you will become flustered quicker. Instead, drink soda or a fruit drink if you want to limit your stress.
Many people turn to drugs and alcohol to help them when they are feeling stressed. They may feel temporary relief but the stress only comes back even worse than before. You should never turn to drugs or alcohol to relieve stress. These kind of products will only serve to cause more issues in the long run.
You should never feel as though your stress is a victimless crime. It is sure to be affecting those people nearest and dearest to you. Even if it doesn’t cause your children to be scared of you or your coworkers to avoid you, there is always one other victim – you.
If you are feeling as though your stress levels are becoming unmanageable or even just higher than normal, you should consider talking to a professional. A counselor who deals with stress will be able to give you many great tips, and will talk you through your most stressful moments and times. Sometimes this kind of help is indispensable.
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.
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.
One good exercise to reduce stress is the practice of deep breathing. During periods of stress, our breathing can become fast and shallow. Breathing slowly deeply reduces stress and curbs tension. This is great for relieving stress and should be included in your daily relaxation routine for combating stress.
Make sure that you practice proper money management so that you do not find yourself in a hole when it comes time to pay your bills. Do not spend money on unnecessary items, which will leave you cutting it very close at the end of the month. Proper money management is important to reduce tension and pressures.
Another stress reducer can be the use of visual imagery. Research has suggested that applying calm, visual imagery is extremely effective for reducing stress. Close your eyes and envision yourself relaxing under the hot sun next to a tropical pool or taking a hot, soothing bubble bath, and visualize all the stress you feel leaving your body. Take a few minutes to imagine a relaxing place and forget about your troubles. Even this brief habit can make a big difference.
Prolonged stress can effect every area of your life including your health and relationships. Dealing with stress in a healthy way enables you to feel empowered and in control. It will also help you improve close relationships and reduce the long term effects that it can have on your body.