Handy Tips To Manage Your Stress !
11-07-2016 | Posted By: Admin | 6303 View(s)
Stress is an inevitable part of life. We take stress when we are not able to meet deadlines, make our partner happy, find our dream job, get work done, etc. In short, stress is something that everyone has to go through at different times and situations of life. Stress is a normal part of life and sometimes it serves a useful purpose.
Stress is not bad always because at times, it can motivate us to work harder and achieve our goals. But if we do not manage stress well, it can take a toll on our life. Stress can cause all kinds of problems in life. Many diseases can be caused while in stress.
A student is most often pressurised with exams and fear of studies. Tension and pressure can also cause hair fall and lead to skin damage. Skin looks dry and dehydrated if a person takes too much stress.
People in stress, even feel that there is no way that they can come out of the stress but this is not true. Life throws a lot of challenges, and one has to go through a lot of ups and downs, but we need to be bold enough to face the fact that everything won’t be and cannot be under our control all the time.
But we can prevent and overcome the stress we go through. After all, too much stress is not at all good for your health. It can result in heart disease and many other problems related to depression. If you feel stressed all the time, you should also go for a health checkup because stress can be due to a health problem and it can lead to many health problems too.
Most of the people do not know how to manage stress well and they say that they experience both physical and emotional symptoms from it.
One must learn how to avoid taking stress unnecessarily and lead a happy life. But before that, let us understand the difference between good and bad stress. Because as already mentioned above, stress is not bad all the time and we must learn to differentiate between good and bad stress.
What is the Difference between Good Stress and Bad Stress?
Good Stress
Sometimes you feel stressed for a short period of time. For example, you feel stressed when you have to talk in front of an audience or when you are going for an interview. Your palms get sweaty, and you may feel “butterflies” in your stomach. This happens to almost everybody and is normal. These are positive stressors that are short-lived and are your body’s way of helping you get through a tough situation. If you experience this kind of stress, take a deep breath and relax. Drink a glass of water to stay calm.
Bad Stress
Bad stress is bad for your health and is also known as distress. It can hinder your everyday life and stop you from doing tasks that you need to undertake. This type of pressure can harm your health. Elevated levels of stress hormones are fine in the short term, but in the long run, they can be detrimental to your health. Taking stress for a prolonged period is not something that is good for your health.
When you take a lot of stress all the time, your body’s immune system gets affected. Many people experience health problems when they take a lot of stress. Researches have linked bad stress to ailments like heart disease, weight gain, memory loss and depression.
This kind of stress is not good for you and can cause serious problems.
What are the Causes of Stress?
The reasons for stress in life can be one or many but it is difficult to pinpoint the exact reason. There can be various reasons behind stress, and the ways to treat stress can also be different. Therefore, if you think that a single solution can give relief to people who are in stress, then you are on the wrong path.
Some of the Causes of Stress are:
Being in a job where you are unhappy
Having a heavy workload
Losing someone you love
Relationship problems
Any upcoming work project or exam
Having unclear expectations of your work
Financial burdens
Chronic illness or injury
Emotional problems (anxiety, anger, guilt, low self-esteem, depression)
Family problems
These are some of the reasons that might lead to the stress in your life. But these are not the only reasons, there are various other reasons.
People also follow unhealthy means to overcome stress! Yes, this is true! People take help of negative means to overcome their stress which is not at all right and can even cause major problems later.
Here are some of the Unhealthy ways of dealing with Stress:
Smoking – It is the most injurious way to cope up with stress.
Eating heaps of junk food.
Too much consumption of alcohol.
Concentrating more on television or on the computer.
Not communicating with the loved ones.
Delaying everything that you are working upon.
Sleeping more than required.
Showing your stress by acting violently.
Intake of drugs or pills.
Avoiding the problems in your life.
Facts about Stress and Overeating
People lead incredibly hectic lives these days. They are overburdened with work, whether it is from their place of Work or their home. However, everybody has their way of tackling and handling pressure. A recent trend that is being seen these days is the fact that people are overeating to combat pressure.
This sort of thing is often referred to as binge eating. What it means is that a person does not have the need or requirement to eat. Just as long as they are under pressure and have to do continuous work and meet deadlines they have the desire to have something to eat so as to distract their minds from the pressure of work.
How does it work?
1) Overeating during stress distracts you;
2) It makes you forget about your problems momentarily;
3) It keeps you occupied so that your mind is off from whatever that is bothering you.
A lot of people resort to yoga to tackle this menace. The biggest problem of overeating during stress is that people, who are indulging in it, are not completely aware of it themselves. To be able to rectify this issue, the person should be able to acknowledge the fact that they have a problem. Whether it is junk food or cold drinks, the content is not of importance. The detrimental effect that it has on the health is what should be causing concern.
However, for some people, overeating during stress reaches such a level that medical intervention is the only way to take care of it. A lot of individuals have to consult psychiatrists and psychologists to have their grievances addressed. For those who have it fairly under control, making sure all that it does not reach aggravated levels is the best way to go about.
How to Manage Stress?
1. Exercise
Physical activities can help you get relief from stress by diverting your mind from negative thoughts. Walking or jogging are some of the best exercises that can be performed when in stress.
Physical activities also help in effective blood circulation in the body. You can simply go for a walk or dance to the tune of the music that you love the best to relieve stress. You can even walk up the stairs instead of using the lift or take out your doggy for a walk in the nearby park. You must exercise to beat stress.
2. Have a Chocolate
Chocolate is proven to be the best medicine when it comes to helping with stress. Having the right kind of chocolate helps the body and has many benefits. Dark chocolate is excellent for health. It contributes to maintaining weight and also help a person stay healthy and fit. The flavonoids which are present in chocolate helps to manage high blood pressure, and also the possibilities of heart attack comes down.
3. Take a Hot Water Bath
Taking a hot water bath is the best feeling ever. Hot water bath can turn out to be very relaxing for the body. The body loves it after a hard and tedious day. Muscles get relaxed in hot water bath. It also helps in blood circulation and boosts up the body. Take a hot water bath to soothe your body when in stress.
4. Jot Down your Worries
This may seem odd but is incredibly therapeutic and useful in the long run. The moment you feel overwhelmed with a particular task at hand, start writing down ways in which you can overcome those emotions. Draw little diagrams, make bullet points, write down everything that comes to your mind and then take a break. Go back to those points later, and you will be surprised at how it will help clear the fog.
5. Go for a Health Checkup
Many health disorders are also a cause of stress. Go for a health checkup on a regular basis to stay aware of your health and keep diseases at bay.
6. Prioritise Tasks
Before you leave the office each day, make a to-do list for the following day as that will keep you organised. Give yourself a margin for unexpected assignments or tasks in case they crop up. This little trick will not only keep you on track but will also help keep the unnecessary stress at bay.
7. Listen to Music
There are many health benefits of music and one of the most effective ways to reduce stress is to listen to music. Every person has their taste and ideas on music. When in stress, music helps to reduce stress to a great level. People can listen to their special songs, and they can forget about their stress and tension for some period.
8. Call a Good Friend
Taking yourself away from the near and dear ones can never be a good way to manage stress. When in stress, you need to engage yourself in social activities more. You need to make new friends, go out and have coffee or go to a get-together. You can even volunteer for the social activities that take place in your society. Joining a club or sports may help you regain the healthy stress less life.
Also, you can call your best friend or someone very close to you to share your problems. Friends and family are there to support you always and you should keep that in mind. They can give suggestions to you and help you deal with the situation better.
9. Get Off To An Early Start
According to research, if you reach office late and start off the day in a frazzled way, it will leave you feeling stressed the entire day! So, get an early start, make a list of the things you need to accomplish on that particular day, get your cup of coffee or tea and start doing your work!
10. Eat Healthy Snacks
Healthy snacks such as nuts, dried fruit, protein bars or whole wheat crackers can help brighten your mood and relieve you from stress. Keep them handy, and in spill-proof cups so that you avoid making a mess at work. Consistent blood sugar levels are necessary throughout the day, and such protein and fibre filled snacks will help you concentrate better and will also uplift your mood.
Feeling Depressed? Try these Dopamine Foods that Make you Happy!
11. Customise Your Workplace
This may not be possible for everyone, but if your job allows it, then get family pictures, postcards, funny and quirky magnets and mugs for your office desk. Little mementoes will help calm your nerves every time you look at them. Besides this, go ahead and hang your awards or appreciation certificates from work on the wall as that will also be a reminder of why you love your job, and why you are at the right place!
12. Spend some Quality ‘Me-Time’
One of the best ways to deal with stress and pressure is to spend some quality time with oneself. It is needed to understand the reasons for stress and finding out ways to fight it.
Only a person who is dealing with stress can know the best means of handling it. Spending time alone gives the individual relaxation and inner peace, and they seem to feel better again to live a lifetime.
13. Accept Your Past and Focus on the Present
Many times we take stress unnecessarily just by thinking about the mistakes we have made in the past. One must understand that the past is gone now, and you can make your future bright by focusing on the present. Living in the past won’t help you at all. Do not go on that guilt trip because it will take a toll on your mental health. Keep it in your mind that you can’t control anything and everything in your life. Face the truth that you can’t change it. Accept that you cannot change your past, but can live happily by cherishing the small things in the present.
14. Have Fun
Take out time from your busy work schedule and relax. You can even have fun with your friends at such times. This will act as a stress buster.
Follow the above-mentioned tips to manage stress. If you do not get relief from stress even after following all the tips, consult a psychiatrist.
