Stress Management: Ways to Overcome Stress
“THE GREATEST WEAPON AGAINST STRESS IS OUR ABILITY TO CHOOSE ONE THOUGHT OVER ANOTHER”
-WILLIAM JAMES
STRESS MANAGEMENT
One feels stressed when one experiences that one lacks adequate resources to meet a demanding situation. The first step to stress management is to identify the sources that cause stress. Moreover, it’s important to understand that your own thoughts, feelings and behavior can contribute to your everyday stress levels.
IF YOU CANNOT ALTER THE STRESSOR, CHANGE YOURSELF.
Total elimination of stress maybe unrealistic however stress management is an attainable goal.
HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO OVERCOME STRESS:
ADD HUMOR TO YOUR LIFE
Being able to laugh away stress is one of the best ways to ward away its ill effects. So laugh a little more!
MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and get enough sleep. This is the key mantra to be stress free.
KEEP YOURSELF HYDRATED
Your bodies and organs, including your brain, are significantly dependent on water to function properly.
MAKE A CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO SPEND LESS TIME IN FRONT OF A SCREEN
Social media or television should not be the concluding destination of your evening. Pre-bedtime exposure to blue light emitted by screens decreases melatonin release. Your sleep is adequate if you can wake up spontaneously without using an alarm and feel rested on waking up.
SPEND TIME IN NATURE
Urban life surrounds you with artificial environments, radiations and unnatural electromagnetic fields. Hence, when you enter the world of nature you will feel peaceful.
MANAGE TO TAKE OUT TIME FOR YOURSELF
It is important to nurture yourself and take out time for whatever makes you feel alive and happy.
DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING IS AN IMPORTANT TOOL IN STRESS MANAGEMENT
Natural breathing is to breathe deeply enabling the diaphragm to move up and down utilising the maximum capacity of the lungs.A few minutes of diaphragmatic breathing will lower levels of the stress and induce a state of calm.
MEDITATION
It remains one of the most effective methods of counteracting stress along with innumerable other benefits. Moreover, it also helps you to still your mind and master negative thought patterns, which are often the root cause of stress.
PRACTICE GRATITUDE
Spend a little time to reflect on all the things you appreciate in your life, including your own positive qualities.
THINK POSITIVE AND BE CONSCIOUS THAT SELF TALK IS POSITIVE TOO
DO NOT TRY TO CONTROL THINGS THAT CANNOT BE CONTROLLED
Rather try to adjust and adapt. This is the best way, face it, get used to it and combat it.
TAKE HELP OF YOUR SUPPORT NETWORK
Studies reveal that people with a balanced social support structure experience lesser stress-related symptoms.
Remind yourself that life is fleeting and nothing is permanent. So, we need this perspective in order to remember what truly matters.
Stress management needs to be regular and a continuous effort.