You may feel like there is nothing you can do about the overwhelming stress in your life. Everything just keeps piling up, and there is nothing you can do to get out of the hole you’ve been dragged into. But there is more you can do than you think. There may not be a “one-size-fits-all” since everybody responds differently to stress, but if this stress is out of control it’s time to take charge.
There are many unhealthy ways of coping with stress that you should avoid doing. They may help cope with stress in the moment, but in the long run will cause more harm than good. Try to avoid:
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- Smoking
- Drinking too much
- Bingeing on junk or comfort food
- Withdrawing from friends, family and activities
- Using pills or drugs to relax
- Sleeping too much
- Procrastinating
- Taking out stress on others (lashing out, angry outbursts, physical violence)
There are plenty of other options for coping with stress that will be good for your emotional and physical health. Not all of these will work for everyone, so you will need to experiment and find what works best for you.
1. Get Moving
You do not have to be an athlete to experience the benefits of exercise. Although you will receive maximum benefit from at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, there are plenty of easier ways to relieve stress and act as a temporary distraction from daily tasks. Some of these are as follows:
- Dance around to some music
- Use the stairs instead of the elevator
- Park your car in the furthest parking space and walk
- Find an exercise buddy so you can encourage each other
2. Engage Socially
Communication is calming to your nervous system. Face-to-face interaction releases hormones in the body to reduce stress. It can help to reach out to family and friends to communicate regularly. And remember, it’s never too late to meet new people and grow your support network.
3. Avoid Unnecessary Stress
Stress may be an automatic response from your nervous system, but this can occur in predictable times. It is not healthy to avoid a stressor that needs to be addressed, but there are plenty of stressors that can easily be eliminated.
- Learn to say "no"- learn your limits and stick to them
- Avoid people who stress you out- If somebody consistently puts you on edge, limit communication with them or completely cut out the relationship
- Take control of your environment- If something is bothering you do something about it
4. Alter the Situation
If it is impossible to avoid the situation, alter it. Try doing this by:
- Expressing your feelings instead of bottling them up- If you don't voice your feelings, resentment will build up and so will stress
- Be willing to compromise- If both parties are willing to compromise, you will probably be able to find a middle ground.
- Manage your time better- Plan ahead and don't overextend yourself
5. Adapt
How you think effects your stress levels. Every time you have a negative thought, your body acts as if it were thrown into a tension-filled situation. Regain your control by changing your expectations and attitude to stress.
6. Accept the Things You Can't Change
Some types of stress is absolutely unavoidable. In these cases, the best way to cope is to just accept it.
- Don't try to control the uncontrollable- Focus on what you can control, like how you react to problems, instead.
- Look for the upside- Look at major challenges as opportunities for growth and mistakes as lessons.
- Learn to forgive- Free yourself from the negativity by forgiving and moving on.
7. Make Time for Fun and Relaxation
Nurture yourself. If you set aside time for relaxation regularly, you will be able to handle life’s stressors better.
