Managing stress the simple way

Stress is not a new term to come across. It is merely how people react to different situations. People react differently to similar situations. For instance, while some people may remain calm due to loss of a spouse or job, some others may get alarmed and stressed. Stress can be problematic if severe and tend to adversely affect the physical and the emotional health of people such that one may fail to concentrate on simple things. It is completely normal for us as human beings to often come across numerous stressful situations, such as a relationship issue, death of a dear one, financial predicament etc. it only becomes problematic when it interferes with one’s daily tasks.

Nevertheless, the body has a "fight-or-flight" response to such stressful situations. During this process, the body releases some hormones post receiving signals from the brain to boost the potential for responding to a possible threat. But, due to stress having become a common issue, the "fight-or-flight" response process continues to occur. That’s where stress management is required, since it provides tools to fight stress.

Stress Management Strategy

1.      Make stress management a goal that you constantly want to achieve.

2.      Determine the cause(s) of your stress - Pay attention to the factor that triggers your stress.

3.      Analyze your stress level from time to time - Observe the peculiar way you behave or think when under stress and when not stressed. This is important as no two persons experience stress in exactly the same way.

4.      Understand the peculiar way you deal with stress – do you become irrational when you are stressed? The particular feeling you experience, is it regular or is it peculiar to a specific situation or stress event?

5.      Seek help – Do not keep the problem to yourself and continue to suffer. Discussing it with close confidants will greatly provide relief and make you feel a bit relaxed.

6.      Have regular physical exercise - Physical exercise is a great stress reliever. It boosts the feel-good endorphins to bring an enhancement in your overall well-being.

7.      Laugh more – Laughter certainly helps one feel better mentally. Therefore find humor in everything you see, do or experience.

8.      Sleep enough - Take 7-8 hours of sleep every night. When you sleep well, you feel well, and you react well.

9.      Have time for yourself - Most of your problems will disappear if you eat well, drink enough water every day, take a stroll, listen to music, and dance to your favorite number. Ensure that you take a break from work.

Managing stress is a gradual process. Persevere in the stress management journey, gradually you will get used to it in the simplest way.