The ability to relax is important in effectively managing stress and anxiety.
When we feel stressed, our bodies react with what is called the "fight or flight" response. Our muscles become tense, our heart and respiration rates increase, and other physiological systems become taxed. Without the ability to relax, chronic stress or anxiety can lead to burnout, anger, irritability, depression, medical problems, and more.
Here are 12 ways to help you feel less stressed:
1. FIND A SUPPORT SYSTEM
Find someone to talk to about your feelings and experiences. Speak to friends, family, a teacher, a minister, or a counselor. Sometimes we just need to "vent" or get something "off our chest." Expressing our feelings can be relieving, we can feel supported by others, and it can help us work out our problems. Need someone to talk to? Here are two wonderful organisations that will help you.
https://www.youthbeyondblue.com
2. CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE
Find other ways to think about stressful situations. "Life is 10% what happens to us, and 90% how we react to it.” Talk to yourself positively… "I can handle it, " "this will be over soon," or "I have handled difficult things before, and I can do it again." Also, practice acceptance. We need to learn to accept things we cannot change without trying to exert more control over them.
3. BE REALISTIC
Set practical goals for dealing with situations and solving problems. Develop realistic expectations of yourself and others. Setting our expectations or goals high may seem like a useful way to push ourselves and get things done, but we may also set ourselves up for disappointment and continued stress. Find the courage to recognise your limits.
4. GET ORGANISED AND TAKE CHARGE
Being unorganised or engaging in poor planning often leads to frustrating or crisis situations, which most always leads to feeling stressed. Plan your time, make a schedule, and establish your priorities. Do this regularly until it becomes a productive habit. Take responsibility for your life. Be proactive. Solve problems and look for solutions rather than worry. And don’t hang around people who take you down or are unsupportive. You’ll feel much better if you surround yourself with positive people!
5. TAKE BREAKS. GIVE YOURSELF MORE ‘ME TIME’
Learn that taking time to yourself for rejuvenation and relaxation is just as important as giving time to other activities. At minimum, take short breaks during your busy day. You might purposely schedule time in your day planner just for yourself so that you can recharge for all the other things you need to do. Learn your "red flags" for stress, and be willing to take time to do something about it.
6. TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOURSELF
Eat properly, get regular rest, keep a routine. Allow yourself to do something you enjoy each day. Paradoxically, the time we need to take care of ourselves the most, when we are stressed, is the time we do it the least. When we feel overwhelmed we tend to eat poorly, sleep less, stop exercising, and generally push ourselves harder. This can tax the immune system and cause us to become ill more easily. If we take good care of ourselves to begin with, we will be better prepared to manage stress and accomplish our tasks in the long run.
7. LEARN TO DEFEND YOUR TIME
Do you defend your time? If not, people will steal it. Why is it acceptable to let people take our time? We wouldn’t let them steal our money, yet time seems to be free game. You need to be ruthless in protecting your most valuable resource: your time. Ensure that you have first priority on your time and do not let others unnecessarily waste it. This just makes you more stressed.
8. GET REGULAR EXERCISE
Exercising regularly can help relieve some symptoms of depression and stress, and help us to maintain our health. Exercise can build confidence, self-esteem, and self-image. It is also a great way to take time for yourself, blow off steam, and release physical tension.
9. GET A HOBBY
For a balanced lifestyle, play is as important as work. Leisure activities and hobbies can be very enjoyable and inspiring, and they can offer an added sense of accomplishment to our lives. For ideas on new hobbies, browse through a bookstore or a crafts store, surf the internet, look up local organizations, see what classes or courses are available in your community or from a nearby college or university. Don't quickly dismiss new opportunities.
10. SLOW DOWN
Know your limits and cut down on the number of things you try to do each day, particularly if you do not have enough time for them or for yourself. Be realistic about what you can accomplish effectively each day. Also, monitor your pace. Rushing through things can lead to mistakes or poor performance. Take the time you need to do a good job. Poorly done tasks can lead to added stress.
11. LAUGH
Do something fun and enjoyable such as seeing a funny movie, laughing with friends, reading a humorous book, or going to a comedy show.
12. PRACTICE YOGA OR MEDITATION
There are many different types of meditation practices that you can try in order to see what works best for you. Try yoga, meditation, or some simple quiet time. Relaxation techniques are skills that need to be developed with patience and practice so that we can use them effectively during difficult times of stress later on.
Stress management helps to nurture your mind, body, and spirit. Numerous studies suggest that stress management benefits your psychological, physical, and social well-being. The more you practice, the greater the effect.
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” Helen Keller
NEED HELP?
https://www.youthbeyondblue.com
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