Recent times have taken a toll on our mental health significantly. The COVID-19 pandemic has accustomed us to overthink about our family, finances, and health, and future. A rise in overthinking has subsequently given rise to stress. Juggling between managing workload, personal life, and others get too stressful.
Many factors play a role in your increased stress. As it can get too overwhelming sometimes, everyone must pull out some ‘me time’ for their mental health and wellbeing.
There are several ways to overcome stressful situations:
While some of these ways are quick healers, most of them are not long-lasting. They do help you at a given time but will not prepare you for the next time. Managing stress requires you to learn certain skills. Such skills can be lifesavers! If not managed rightly at the right time, it can imbalance your emotional and physical wellness. Mismanaged stress impairs your thinking abilities, brings about ineffective functioning, and does not allow you to enjoy the little things.
Efficient management of stress allows you to take hold of your life making it more joyful, wholesome, and fruitful. Stress management takes time but helps you in the long run. Below are 5 ways to manage and handle stress.
Avoid stressors
Avoiding a stressful situation is different from avoiding stressors. There are probably many unnecessary stressors you can easily omit.
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Learn to say no. Do not take more responsibility than you handle.
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Resort to Plan B. If shopping for groceries in a supermarket is a stressful task, try ordering them online.
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Stay away from negative people. Spending less time with those gives you unnecessary stress.
Take care of yourself
Being active physically can be a great and healthy distraction. Endorphins (the feel-good hormone) are released when engaged in physical activity. Research shows the physical exercise of at least 30 minutes is most beneficial. The most commonly and easily done exercise are:
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Walking
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Dancing
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Cycling
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Swimming
When indulging in such activities, your attention should be on your body and breathing. Sense the movements and connect them with your breathing. Such mindful groundings help you calm down. Mindfulness helps in breaking the chain of negative thoughts/ overthinking that comes along with stress. Following are some ways to begin being mindful.
Enjoy somome time
All work and no fun make you dull inside out. Hustling in life makes us feel that enjoyment and leisure time is a luxury. It is crucial for everyone to stop and catch a breath for smooth and efficient functioning.
Healthy diets
A good, healthy, and fulfilling meal will set you off in a good mood instantly. Balanced diets affect our mood significantly. Incorporate the following eating habits to keep your stress levels in check:
Connect with someone
Last but not the least, find someone you can share your issues as well as achievements with. This person should be trustworthy, so you can share and discuss your issues with them. It is worth spending time with someone who makes you feel heard. Be it a friend, colleague, parent, or even a therapist.
Sometimes stress can get out of hand. This may also build foundations for other mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression, if not given immediate attention. If your stress is something you cannot handle on your own, a little professional help will go a long way.
An online therapist can help you find the root cause of your stress and guide you to betterment. It is never late (or shameful) to seek the help of a therapist.
Do not suffer in silence, begin to work on your stress now to avoid any further complications.
Get Started With Licensed Therapist