5 Ways to Kick Stress in the A***!
by MSTY Writers
Updated June 21, 2018
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Stress lives somewhere in everything we do. Whether dealing with family, friends or co-worker, stress finds a way to embed itself in some nook or cranny of our world.
Finding a safe and healthy way to cope with that stress can go a long way to spare you from encountering unwieldy side effects.
Here are five actions you can take to manage your stress.
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Get a New Attitude
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Become a problem solver. Make a list of the
things that cause you stress. From your list, figure out which problems
you can solve now and which are beyond your control for the moment.
From
your list of problems that you can solve now, start with the little
ones. Learn how to calmly look at a problem, think of possible
solutions, and take action to solve the problem. Being able to solve
small problems will give you confidence to tackle the big ones. And
feeling confident that you can solve problems will go a long way to
helping you feel less stressed.
Be flexible. Sometimes, it’s not worth the stress to argue. Give in once in awhile or meet people halfway. Save the battle for another day.
Get organized.
Think ahead about how you’re going to spend your time. Write a to-do
list. Figure out what’s most important to do and do those things first.
Set limits.
When it comes to things like work and family, figure out what you can
really do. There are only so many hours in the day. Set limits for
yourself and others. Don’t be afraid to say NO to requests for your time
and energy.
Relax
Take deep breaths. If you're feeling stressed, taking a few deep breaths can assist you in purposefully slowing down your breathing, allowing your muscles to relax.
Stretch. Stretching can also help relax your muscles and make you feel less tense.
Massage tense muscles. Having someone massage the muscles in the back of your neck and upper back can help you feel less tense.
Take time to do something you want to do.
We all have lots of things that we have to do. But often we don't take
the time to do the things that we really want to do. It could be
listening to music, reading a good book, or going to a movie. Think of
this as an order from your doctor, so you won’t feel guilty!
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Take Care of Your Body
Get some sleep. Getting enough sleep helps
you recover from the stresses of the day. Also, being well-rested helps
you think better so that you are prepared to handle problems as they
come up. Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night to feel rested.
Eat right.
Try to fuel up with fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. Don’t
be fooled by the jolt you get from caffeine or high-sugar snack foods.
Your energy will wear off, and you could wind up feeling more tired than
you did before.
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Get moving. Getting physical
activity can not only help relax your tense muscles but improve your
mood. Research shows that physical activity can help relieve symptoms of
depression and anxiety.
Don’t deal with stress in unhealthy ways. This includes drinking too much alcohol, using drugs, smoking, or overeating.
Connect with Others
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Share your stress. Talking about your problems
with friends or family members can sometimes help you feel better. They
might also help you see your problems in a new way and suggest solutions
that you hadn't thought of.
Get help from a professional if you need it.
If you feel that you can no longer cope, talk to your doctor. She or he
may suggest counseling to help you learn better ways to deal with
stress. Your doctor may also prescribe medicines, such as
antidepressants or sleep aids.
Help others. Volunteering in your community can help you make new friends and feel better about yourself.
Forgive Yourself. Forgive yourself for all of the mistakes you make today and will make tomorrow and the next day.
Source: Womenshealth.gov
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How are you dealing with stress?
