Proper management of stress is very important because it will definitely help your well-being. Stress disrupts the balance and equilibrium of the body: may it be physical, emotional or psychological. That is why it is so important for people to know how to manage stress properly and never let it affect daily life.
Try to identify what gives you stress
Jotting down notes and determining what gives you stress helps you understand how to efficiently work into finding a solution and take that stress away. Create a list of what you think is causing you stress and determine if these are things that you can and cannot control.
Learn to accept that there are things that you can not control. Acceptance is one key to treating stress in your day to day life.
Be active
Try to be more active. Play your favourite sports or try to enrol at the gym. By being physically active and fit, your body releases endorphins that help your mood and also make you feel good. A good exercise is also a healthy distraction to take your mind off the things that are stressing you out.
Connect with your family or friends
You might have been too focused on work and have passed on a lot of opportunities to go out with family or friends. Take some time off and try to go out for a family dinner. A little alcohol on a night out with friends would not hurt. If clubbing is not your thing, maybe a nice quiet dinner will soothe that brain.
‘Desserts’ is ‘stressed’ spelled backwards
Try to enjoy a nice scoop of ice cream or indulge yourself with your favourite dessert. How about a slice of cake or a bag of your favourite crisps? Sometimes, indulging yourself with a little bit of your favourite dessert helps your mind ease the things that are stressing you out for the day. Just watch those sugary desserts or else your blood sugar might be shooting off the roof.
Time management
Prioritise things that are most important for you. Try to create a list of what needs to be done for the day and tackle them in order of importance. Commit to tasks that you believe you can accomplish and do not over commit.
Over-committing on tasks will add to your stress level if you are not able to fulfil those tasks on time. Finish them step by step and do a checklist. Seeing that you have accomplished these tasks will give you that boost of confidence and will make you feel happy knowing that you’re able to complete the tasks you need to finish.
Vitamins and supplements
Nowadays, people often look into getting a dose of multivitamins to boost their energy levels. Pharmaceutical companies also now offer supplements that help you battle stress. By trying to focus on boosting your energy, some vitamins and supplements also offer a boost in hormones that help you be happier throughout the day. Do not forget to ask your doctors first before making that decision of just swallowing that pill though.
Eat healthily
Always try to eat a balanced meal. Do not overeat and make sure that you eat on time too. Giving that body the right nourishment means that you are preparing your body to cope with stress. Do not take too much caffeine and too much sugar as they will only give you a temporary high but at the end of the day, caffeine might affect your sleep and would not help give you a clear mind.
Peter Wallace has been an advocate for mental health awareness for years. He holds a master’s degree in counselling from the University of Edinburgh.
