Have you had just about all you can take? Are things in your life getting you down? If so, it sounds like you are stressed. Stress is no fun! We have tips and advice on how to deal with the stresses in your life. Read on to find out how to eliminate stress and find calm.
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.
Try labeling your stress with numbers, from 1-10. Make one a simple problem and a ten the worst problem possible. This type of objectivity may make it easier to avoid becoming overly stressed by minor events.
In order to keep your stress level under control, try writing an extremely graphic or obscene letter on paper that releases all of your aggression verbally. Many people feel better after making sense of it by writing it out. Write as though nobody will ever read it, and write as vividly as possible. Destroy it thoroughly afterward.
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.
Stress can have a tremendous effect on the amount and types of food that we eat. We may have the tendency to gorge on junk food when we are stressed. Our stomachs may be so upset by the stress that we can barely eat anything. Either reaction is potentially dangerous. Minimizing your stress level can radically improve your dietary choices.
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.
If you live near a pool, an important thing to do for stress control is to swim. Swim a few laps in the cool waters to get your mind off of your troubles and reduce stress. This is also a great form of exercise, which will indirectly help your stress level.
When facing high levels of tension, think about something that makes you happy, such as the beach. Picturing the sand and the waves rolling in is a very peaceful image and will help to remind you of the finer things in life. Create positive imagery to help eliminate unnecessary stress.
One of the ways that you can deal with stress for the long term is to purchase a cat or dog to have around the house. When you get home from a long day at work, it is always nice to have a pet waiting for you to add excitement to your life.
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.
Do your best to avoid the things that are causing you stress. In many cases it is nearly impossible to avoid these situations but if there is any way at all to keep them out of your life, do it. If your job is causing you an unhealthy amount of stress, seriously consider looking for a new job.
Delegate! It’s easy to become overwhelmed when we attempt to retain personal control of every aspect of our lives. The result can be stress. Break jobs up into small doable portions and spread them around amongst your subordinates and coworkers at work. There is only so much on person can do!
Multitasking is a stress magnet. Many people consider multitasking to be a skill that only certain people have, but in reality, it is just the cause of an extraordinary amount of stress. Some people can better cope with stress but if you are not one of those people, do not multitask.
There are several ways you can lower your stress level. Stress does not have to plague you day in and day out. By trying the above mentioned tips, you will see that it is possible to live a less stressful life.