We all know how bad stress is for us. While I have enlisted to symptoms to identify it in my blog, “Stress: Identifying the Demon”, let’s look at the ways to deal and cope with stress and take complete charge of our health.
Dealing with stress is actually quite easy and extremely relaxing. Once you take measures mindfully, you will realize that everything that you do is actually becoming easier for you to handle and your health is also getting better.
Avoid Alcohol, Nicotine and Caffeine
Or at least reduce, your consumption. Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants and will increase your level of stress rather than reduce it. And alcohol acts as a depressant. It may make you happy and make you forget things temporarily, but in the long term, it leads to depression.
Indulge on Physical Activity
Physical exercise can be used as a surrogate to metabolize the excessive stress hormones and restore your body and mind to a calmer, more relaxed state. Go for a run or a walk, or hit the gym. You could also join a group dance class. You will see that any sort of physical activity releases the happy hormones in your brain and you immediately start feeling more relaxed. Besides all the excess energy that kicks in from the stress hormones is also exhausted.
Get More Sleep Naturally
Instead of relying on medication, take simple natural steps. Shut down digital devices an hour before sleep time, have a cup of chamomile tea, get into some good meditative state with guided meditation and avoid caffeine 6 hours before bed time. Make sure your bed is comfortable and the room is at the right temperature to help you get some shut eye.
Relaxation Techniques
When you feel overwhelmed, close your eyes and take breaths for two minutes. You can also try guided meditation whenever you’re free and make it a practice. A lot of calming videos and sounds are available on the net for free. Eventually, your mind and body will adapt to it and will be more peaceful. Pamper yourself with a spa day or a relaxing body massage.
Talk to someone about your stress
Talking often helps us reflect and introspect. And a non-biased view also helps is dealing with over whelming factors.
Keep a stress-diary
Make note of things that are stressing you out. Eventually, you will be able to recognize the triggers and can start working of eliminating them.
Take charge of the situation
Be well planned for all the activities that need to be done every day. That way, you will know what, when, how and by whom it is to be done. And can manage time well.
Learn to say ‘NO’
Remind yourself you already have a lot on your plate and you cannot deal with more work if everything is piling up. You are doing the best you can right now. You do not have to overwork yourself. Deal with problems one at a time. Once you are done with task at hand, you can take up something else. But do not make any prior commitments.
Rest if you’re Ill
Timely rest ensures your mind and body recovers. If you’re ill, give your body the much needed rest before things get worse.
Hope these techniques help you and you will now be more mindful about taking steps towards reducing your stress. Remember, even the smallest of effort count towards getting healthier and happier. If there are any questions, drop them in comments below and we take find answers to them together.