Having the option to take a stress management class has changed my life in such an incredibly positive way. Just halfway through the semester, I have become more organized, thoughtful, a better person, and best of all, less stressed. It doesn't matter what your age is, everybody grapples with stress, but it's the way you handle the stress and try to understand it that makes all the difference. I'd like to thank my professor, Diane Frankle-Gramelis from SCSU for sharing these outstanding lessons with all of us.
1. Breathe.
It is something so extremely simple, yet its importance is extremely overlooked. Take a few minutes out of your day to just breathe. In for seven seconds, hold it, then slowly let it out for eight. Yoga and meditation are also helpful, but with our schedules so full, it's hard to find time in the day. Try it now and see how much better you feel already! Write it on a sticky note and post it somewhere to always remind you how important the small breath really is.
2. Hand-me-down belief.
Think about all those things you are not good at. How many people have told you "oh it's just not your niche because you're better at this," or "I wasn't good at it either, that's OK." Those people have imprinted that doubt in you when they should have encouraged you. So, try it again. The only limits that exist are the ones you have set yourself. The only reason you think you can't do it is because other people said you couldn't. Last time I checked, they weren't you, now were they?
3. Make to-do lists.
Lists are challenging and sometimes a little overwhelming with how long we make them. So, split them up. Make a list of things you have to do today, by the end of the week, and then whenever. Do things by level of priority and cross things out as you finish them.
4. Words are everything.
Many of the words we use have negative connotations and easily stress us out or make us feel too overwhelmed. Words are essential and can play tricks on our minds. There is a simple fix to this, however. Lucky for us, words with more positive connotations exist. So next time your day is "busy," instead of saying busy, say "full." Instead of saying, "tired" when people ask how you are, say "I'm good." By saying you're tired, you physically make yourself tired. Lastly, instead of saying things are "hard," say challenging. This swap gives you motivation to try and achieve the goal instead of giving up.
5. You can say no.
No is a complete sentence. If your schedule is too full and your friend asks you to help them, don't say you'll try because then you'll be stressing out to find a way to help them while also completing what you have to do for yourself. You're allowed to say no. It's why the word exists. Use it. Your friend will understand.
6. You become your thoughts.
If you constantly think you aren't good enough, all bad things always happen to you, or you can't do something, chances are that's exactly what you'll become -- not good enough, unlucky, and doubtful. So, think that you can. Be happy and appreciate the small things! And never doubt yourself. Wake up every morning and feel blessed and tell yourself, "today is going to be a good day."
7. Talk to people.
Whether you're just passing by someone or taking a quick ride in the elevator, talk to the person! Everyone is always so distracted or always in a rush or having a weird day. Even just saying hi can change your mood and theirs! And who knows, you may even make a friend.
8. Journal.
The best way to let your thoughts out is to write them down. By writing them down, they aren't cooped up in your mind throughout the day and you can focus and move on from the negativity. Writing is just as therapeutic as talking to a therapist. Keep a journal every day and write your feelings down at the end of the day or when something happens. Don't forget to write about good things too!
9. Appreciate the little things.
This is more like common sense, but it's something many of us forget to do. There is something beautiful in every tragedy and something good in every day -- no matter how bad the day. So before you fall asleep, recount the little things that made your day good. Don't go to sleep upset. You can do that much for yourself.
10. Don't complain.
When you complain, you feed negative energy into everyone around you while also bringing yourself down. If it's something you can't change, then learn to accept it and move on. If it's something you can change, then take action and change it. Nobody likes an Eeyore. There's a solution to every problem.
11. Read.
There are many books that help us to understand stress better. But it isn't only stress we need to understand, it's the people and the world around us. By reading, we open our minds -- our imagination. We expand our perceptions of people and the universe and we realize what to appreciate in this life. We learn how to treat people. We become more open minded. And open-minded people are the best kinds of people -- the people who will take the steps to make the differences that this world needs.
