Stress

How to Deal with Stress

Stress Symptoms
We all are aware that stress is not good for us. Everywhere you turn, TV, radio, the internet, you are bombarded with facts about how stress is bad for you; stress can make you sick, cause heart attack and stroke, make you fat, cause sleeplessness, make your hair fall out, make you tired, and make you unpleasant to be around. The list is endless.

What Is Stress?

So, what exactly is stress and what causes it? If we look at the definition of stress, then technically, stress is your bodies way of dealing with any kind of demand, good or bad. The feeling you have of “being Stressed” is caused by chemicals released by your body in reaction to the demand. These chemicals give you more energy and strength (a good thing if the stress is caused by a physical threat to you, as an example.) But this can also be a bad thing if the stress is caused by something emotional and there is no outlet for this burst of energy and strength.

Stress is also unavoidable. It doesn’t matter what your social status is, or what job you have. The truth is you can’t avoid stress in your life, but but you can manage it and do things to make yourself feel better when you feel yourself getting tense and “stressed out.” Following, are some tips to help you manage stress and feel better. So smile, and remember that you are not the only person on earth that is going through something stressful.

Stress Management

1. First of all you should accept that you cannot control everything. There might be some things that you want to happen exactly in a certain way, and when there is a bump in the road, you're disappointed And this results in stress. So first, try and accept that certain things are beyond your control.

2. Try as best you can, to manage your time. I know this is easier said than done. Allot ample time to complete a task. Rushing increases the probability of making a mistake. And this for sure will cause stress.

3. Avoid overuse of alcohol and use of drugs and don’t smoke. Some might say that drinking alcohol makes them much happier and more relaxed, but in the long run, developing other “coping” mechanisms is much more productive.

4. Try and get eight hours of sleep every night. Go to bed at the same time every night, and chill out on the use of electronics an hour before bed. Having ample sleep does wonder in helping you cope with unexpected issues during the day.

If possible, try and take 15-20 minutes in the middle of your day to sit and relax. Practice relaxation techniques like yoga or deep breathing.

5. Make regular exercise a priority in your life. Something as simple as regularly walking for a half hour every morning can work wonders not only in working off stress, but also in increasing oxygen flow to your brain, and increasing your energy level.

We all have stress and managing it differs from one person to another. Aside from managing stress, there is a diet intended to manage stress. Can you believe that? You should!

1. A bowl of warm oatmeal can boost the levels of serotonin. Serotonin is a calming chemical in our brain.

2. Whole-grain breads, pastas and breakfast cereals can also make more serotonin.

3. Who doesn’t like oranges? Oranges are loaded with vitamin c and do you know that vitamin c can lower your stress hormones. Remember to have an orange before doing a task that you think might be stressful!

4. Black tea can help you recover from stress more quickly.

5. Raw vegetables can help reduce stress in a mechanical way. Try to munch some carrot sticks and you might be surprised that it can ease your stress. It is because the movement of your jaw removes tension.

6. Skim or low-fat milk can also help reduce stress because calcium eases anxiety and mood swings.

With all of these tips, the most important thing to remember is that the only one that is hurt by your stress is you. Some stress is inevitable, but don’t fight with the things you have no control over and can’t do anything about. Smile and know the world is a better place for having you in it.

You can also read what Psychology Today says about stress here. If you have favorite techniques for managing stress, we’d love to hear them. Author: