5 Tips on Managing Stress

Stress is a very normal response to an overwhelming situation. Some may even say that stress motivates you to be more productive, however, if stress is getting in your way of work and health, it is time to build coping skills to find balance in life again.

Too much stress is known to affect your mental and physical health. Common symptoms of stress are visible from your physical response including headaches, digestive issues, fatigue, low sexual desires, muscle tensions, and sleep issues. You might also notice your mood change due to stress, including anxiety, irritability, overwhelmingness, or sadness. These effects on your body and mood will result in behavioral changes as well. You can note when you are socially withdrawing, turn to substance use, and have changes in your eating and sleeping habits. When stress is not checked and managed, it will have long-term health effects on your physical and relational wellbeing.

Stress seems to be part of everyone’s lifestyle at this time and age. The pace of life and pressure for success is unavoidable. Even the most positive events of life, such as marriage, birthdays, and career advancements are seasoned with stress. Everyone responds to stress differently and you will need to develop your own coping skills to help you relax and enjoy while pushing forward in life. Stress can be manageable and does not have to take away from enjoyment in every aspect of your life.

Stress management is the ability for you to recognize the stress-causing situation and utilize different coping tools to slow down your thoughts, relax your body, and calm your emotions. It includes both your body and mind to engage with each other in order for you to find peace.

Here are 5 tips on managing your stress:

1. MOVE YOUR BODY

It might mean integrating 5 minutes of stretching or going out on a walk, no matter how small the movement is, integrating your body movement throughout the day is an important aspect for releasing stress.

2. PRACTICE MEDITATION

I’m sure you’ve heard of this so many times by now from all sources of media but meditation and mindfulness is a powerful tool to help your mind to find peace and calmness through the chaotic situations that alert your body to switch on to the reactive mode.

3. MAKE ROOM TO BE CREATIVE

It seems impossible sometimes to fit in another activity in your day, so try to find creativity within the activities that you are already involved in. The smallest things, such as trying out a new recipe, doodling, or watering the plants can help your mind to free up a lot.

4. ASK FOR HELP

For many, asking for help is its own stress-inducing activity, however, if you can start to ask for help even in the littlest ways, you will find yourself with fewer things to juggle with at the end of the day.

5. FIND DEEPER MEANING OF YOUR STRESS

If you can pay close attention to what is giving you stress, you might find that you can take control over some of the things you haven’t thought of. When you are able to find a deep meaning behind what is causing you to feel stressed and how your stress manifests in your life, you might be able to manage them better.

There is no total control over your stress. It will continue to live with you and me for the rest of our lives. Stress management is a way of living a better life through the ongoing stressful situations that we continue to encounter. It takes practice and a change in lifestyle to develop a full stress management tool kit.