It is time to understand that stress is a serious issue that needs serious solutions. Some employers will even give their workers time off if they are suffering from stress, since it is a recognized medical condition. Obviously, nobody wants to be suffering from stress just to get time off work. It is much better to minimize or eliminate your stress. Apply the information in this article and begin to win your battle against stress.
Use lists for remembering things instead of depending only on your memory to give yourself a little bit of a break throughout the day. When we are overwhelmed with stress it’s harder to remember everything we need to take care of, so prepare for all that your day holds by making a list. Not only will the lack of having to recall details spare you stress but it will save you time as well!
Stop clenching your jaw and consciously relax it. When we are feeling stressed, the stress seems to settle in different parts of our bodies, particularly in our jaw. If you feel too stressed, touch your jaw, breath deeply, and then release your jaw. This should make a positive difference in how you feel.
If you want to reduce the amount of tension in your life, go to your favorite store and buy a pair of shoes that you’ve always wanted. When you purchase something new and fresh, it makes you feel more comfortable with your appearance, which will give you more confidence and reduce your anxiety.
During the course of the day, try to consume at least eight glasses of water if you want to reduce the level of stress that you face. Water helps to reduce the amount of toxins in your body, which can make you feel fresher and more hydrated as the day wears on.
To identify hidden sources of stress in your life, start keeping a stress journal. Each time you find yourself feeling stressed out, make a note of it in your journal. Record what happened, how it made you feel and how you responded to the stressful event or situation. This will allow you to spot patterns of stress over time so you can develop an effective long term stress management plan.
Often times those who find themselves under a lot of stress are simply there because they put too much on their plates. A simple way to solve this is simply cut down on the concurrent activities and responsibilities. In this way you will slowly get back to a clear level headed state.
If you are at work and passing through a moment of great stress you should take a second to look at pictures of people and places that you really enjoy. This can help you to refocus on what is important and may even make the stressful situation feel a bit silly or useless.
When trying to get rid of stress, here is a very important and simple tip that many people seem to forget about. To easily combat stress, simply get a good night’s sleep. Sleep refreshes your mind and body and replenishes energy. Naps are also effective at doing this.
Pay attention to any area of your body that you might clench up when you are stressed. Often people clench their lower back muscles, knuckles, shoulders or teeth. Make sure you stretch the areas that you may clench up due to stress. This is going to help you reduce the tension that you feel and relax.
Instead of just thinking about how you can lower stress, write your thoughts out. Develop two lists for yourself: one that covers stresses you may have the ability to control and one that lists stressors out of your hands. Let go of the stresses that you can’t control and concentrate on the list of stressors that you can change.
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.
Be wary of prescription drugs. While various prescription drugs like Valium, Xanax, and Ativan are often prescribed to treat the symptoms of anxiety, these drugs might actually have a counterproductive effect on our reaction to stress. Just as is the case with common drugs like alcohol and tobacco, prescription drugs can actually make us more sensitive to stressful events.
It’s a good thing that people are finally realizing that stress is real and that it can be devastating to some people. It’s also a good thing that there are so many stress-fighting tools you can arm yourself with. Use the tools provided to you by this article to begin fighting your stress.