Stress can be an absolute nightmare, and not something that we want to deal with. The truth though, is that we are going to have to deal with stress in our lives whether we want to or not. What is within our control though is how much, how we handle it, and whether or not you let it take over your life.
You might be reading this and thinking that you are absolutely not allowing stress to take over your life but it’s just happening to you and there is no way for you to stop it. Well, that’s not strictly true. There are things that you can do to lessen the stress that you are experiencing, it’s just a case of whether you are willing to do what is needed to make this happen. A lot of people aren’t because they don’t want to rock the boat that is their life, but sometimes if you don’t rock the boat, the things that are wrong for you will never fall off.
Down below, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the things that you can do to deal with stress in better, healthier ways rather than just losing your mind every couple of months. Have we got your attention? Let’s get started.
Understanding Your Triggers
One of the most important things that you can do is work on understanding your triggers. What sets off the stress in your head? What makes you feel as though you are going to break under the pressure, like the walls are closing in and as though there is no way for you to manage anymore? These are your biggest stressors, and they have got to be removed as much as possible. It’s true to say though that this is not always possible depending on what they are. For example, if work is one of your biggest stressors but you love your job, then it might be worth either lessening your load or taking more frequent days off rather than a week at a time.
The thing about understanding your triggers is that if you know what they are, you are able to stop them from becoming a constant in your life. Or, if they already are, you can expect them to appear and learn to deal with them accordingly. Is it going to be hard? Yes. Are you going to have more stressors than you thought? Probably. But, this is the best way to deal with it.
Taking A Step Back From The Stress
Taking a step back from stress is another important element that you need to work on. Once you’ve identified your triggers, you need to see if you can eliminate some of them from your life. Of course it’s not always going to be possible as we’ve said, but there are things that you can do to give yourself a little more breathing room.
For example, if you know that a certain person is a very big stressor in your life, then it’s worth trying to limit your contact with that person. We’re not saying that you should never interact with them if that is going to cause more issues for you, but you should do your best to limit your conversation and involvement. If it’s someone important to you, then maybe try having a conversation with them about how they are making you feel. Communication can really help in cases like this, so it’s worth thinking about.
Sharing Your Struggles With Someone Else
It’s always worth speaking to a professional if you feel as though stress is really starting to become a constant in your life, especially if you feel as though it’s taking over. They are trained to listen to you and offer help when it’s needed, as well as not to judge you no matter what you say. Therapists and psychologists, depending on who you see, are there to provide you with a safe space, so you want to take advantage of that as much as you can.
It might not feel like a professional is the right choice for you, and that’s okay too. If this is where you are currently, see if there’s someone in your life that you feel comfortable talking to. People often go wrong here because they think it has to be an immediate family member, but this isn’t true at all. It can be anyone in your life, whether this is your friend, someone you barely know but is happy to listen to, or someone on a train if you want to stay somewhat anonymous. Getting it off your chest can feel amazing, trust us on that.
Take Up A Hobby To Reduce Stress
Did you know that having a hobby can help massively when it comes to decreasing the stress levels that you are experiencing? It depends on what it is and how much you enjoy it, but having a hobby that you love can boost your serotonin, making you feel much happier in yourself. Of course, it takes time to find a hobby that you love, so be patient with yourself while you start to figure out what you do and do not like.
A good place to start is with something basic that doesn’t cost you a lot of money. For example, you can look into playing games online like sudoku, solitaire and things like this that you can play free of charge. If it turns out that they are not for you, then you can branch out, trying new things and seeing where the wind takes you.
Exercise Can Really Help
Have you ever completed a workout and felt absolutely amazing? This is all thanks to the happy hormones that are being released, these will encourage you to carry on and make you feel good about yourself and everything else. If you try to incorporate a workout into your morning routine then this will help you deal with any stress during the day. If you don’t have time for this then how about a nightly jog or swim, this will refresh you and rid you of all the day’s stresses and concerns. Make sure you find something you enjoy doing otherwise it will begin to feel like a chore.
Sleep Is Going To Be Your Best Friend
Finally, when you are feeling stressed and under pressure then you might want to try and get as much sleep as you can. Sleep will help your brain take a break from all the day’s happenings, it is also a chance for you to forget about your concerns and worries just for a short time. If you are struggling to sleep then this won’t be good for anyone. You can end up feeling exhausted, irritable, and struggling to concentrate on tasks. Don’t be afraid to try different sleep routines to ensure you get a good, solid nights sleep. As an adult you should be aiming for around six to nine hours of sleep each night. This will ensure you are feeling well rested when you get up the following day.
So, there you have it then. These are a whole range of things that you can do to try and manage stress in better ways, and hopefully eliminate some of it from your life. It’s not going to be easy, so don’t expect it to be. It will take time, patience, and dedication from you, but when you get there and that stress eases off of your shoulders, you are going to feel so much better for it. Trust us.
