Stress plagues our everyday lives. It’s sad, but true. When we’re not worried about dodging deadlines at work, weaving through strangers on hot, overcrowded subways, or precariously avoiding family drama, we’re stressed about what to wear to that party on Saturday, and how on earth we’re going to make time to get our nails done before then.
The fact is, stress is everywhere, and it permeates all aspects of our everyday living.
And if you’re anything like me, getting bad news can take the relaxation out of my sails and make something as pleasant as a stroll in the park or a day at the spa somehow “stressful.” While I’m not trying to be Polly Pessimistic, it’s something that we have to embrace and deal with. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing we can do to help mitigate the unpleasantness and succumb to the terrors of stress (which for me, includes sleepless nights, terrible skin rashes, internal havoc, and periodic eye-twitching).
Because stress is but a mere symptom of our physiological and psychological breakdown, we can still alter the situation and manage to keep our sanity before things turn awry. When we learn to recognize and deal with burnout, we will have the power to do what we actually want and take better care of ourselves.
Being mindful of your stress, and integrating different practices into your daily routine can help minimize the likelihood that you’ll have a nervous breakdown. Here are some ways you can keep control of your stress throughout the day:
1. Pause and refresh
When you’re at work and you’re having one of those moments where you’re ready to kick over the water cooler, take a moment. And to prevent those inevitable freak-outs, try and pause for 5 or ten minutes every 2 or 3 hours. Stand up, stretch, and get fresh air. Meditate.
Also, throughout the day, try drinking an excessive amount of water and organic herbal tea. Not only is water great for flushing toxins out of your body, but it’ll force you to take more frequent bathroom breaks, which equates to more time away from your desk to help recalibrate your brain.
2. Try to take things one at a time
All day long, we’re multi-tasking to get a million things done. And sometimes, it feels like there is just not enough time in the day, week, or year. Well, that’s life. Embrace it. And instead of panicking about everything you have to accomplish this millennium, try to limit your anxiety to what you need to get done today. You have all day to worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.
3. Give yourself some credit
I’m awesome. Go ahead, say it out loud. This may sound a bit narcissistic, but it’s important for us to recognize the accomplishments that we have made each day – no matter how insignificant they may seem. When we are stressed-out, everything around us seems chaotic and we get disappointed because we cannot put things in order no matter how hard we try. By giving yourself a little credit, it may give you an extra boost of optimism and that kick-in-the-ass you need to just get things done.
4. Make every day a “healthy” day
While smoking cigarettes, binge drinking, then sitting around all day eating Cheetos may sound fun, your system and your stress levels won’t agree. Going to bed by 10pm and getting regular physical exercise are basic steps of any stress reduction program because they helps calm the nervous system. Sustained exercise, like aerobic, produces more of the natural soothing hormone endorphins in the body.
Healthy balance can also be achieved by reducing our sugar intake. Too much sugar can deplete B-vitamins, which are essential for a healthy nervous system. More importantly, we have a tendency to stress out about our skin, our weight, and our overall health – so why torture yourself via self-destruction? Feeling good about our health and our bodies gives us one less thing to stress about.
5. You can cry if you really want to
Repressed feelings are often intense and destructive — like monsters that slowly eat us from the inside. We have to let go of our emotions when we feel like it. Modesty and professionalism should not stop us from expressing our feelings, but keep it balanced – nobody wants to be known as the office lunatic. Sure, crying not only helps release toxins from the body, and it is also liberating, but have some discretion. Cry under your desk or in the supply closet, and feel free to punch the paper towel dispenser in the bathroom to get some anger out. Just release your emotions before you attempt to discuss your frustrations with co-workers.
6. Laugh all day, at least at yourself
Finding humor in simple things is not synonymous with being mischievous. Instead, it means accepting the fact of life that we are imperfect and we put ourselves into awkward situations every now and then. When those awkward moments happen, try and let yourself appreciate how funny awkwardness actually is. It’s hard “not to take things so seriously,” but laughing at yourself is easier than it seems – and you can still take life seriously at the same time. There are lots of ways to have fun, and stay productive. So laugh – it’s a contagious de-stressor.
At the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide how to deal with stress. While we can’t control every stressful situation that surrounds us, we can certainly control how we let stress control us and our emotions.
What are other ways you’ve been successful at keeping stress at bay throughout the day?
Best way to deal with stressors is to not give it too much attention.
I’m honestly so bad at stress management. I overthink a lot and it contributes to most of my stress. I think I’ve tried almost everything I can imagine just to help myself manage it. But the thing is, overthinking can’t exactly be stopped. It’s just like a nagging feeling of anxiety than never ends until it fails you.
Right! We should have control over it. MInd control I mean. Mind over matter. My favorite line, “You’re nothing but STRESS and I AM ME!”
you’re just STRESS! I’m FABULOUS! you can’t stop me!
Every individual has different reasons for meditating, from relieving job stress and reducing the anxiety of all kind and minimizing physical pain to improving relationships and determining life’s direction. But this article helps a lot! Thanks!
This post itself is surprisingly stress relieving LOL! I have already taken most of these steps but still have anxiety and stress and after reading this article putting it all back into perspective really helps.
you know what helps me get by stress? try singing a commercial jingle in your head. just in constant repeat and before you know it you have already lifted up your mood.
I know all of these things, but I forget them in the hustle and bustle of life. Thank you for reminders. I’ve saved this post and will share with friends, family, and clients who are stressed.
I don’t know what I am into I have been taking care of my girls and my husband to long that I have forgotten what I like even when I go out I can’t even stop thinking about them so can you help me on that?
You will never stop thinking about them no matter how hard you tried. They are your family. A family will always have a place in your heart and mind. What you need is time management. You need to give time to your self. Like me time, hmmm maybe once a week. Common, if you cannot take care of yourself you will not be able to take care of your family. Do it now. Pamper yourself for just a day.
Sorry doesn’t work when you are from high school and all the damn pressure you get R.I.P.
Thank you so much, I will try these, although I’m a friendly person I have a tendency to get stressed out, mostly with due dates and family stress, the breathing method doesn’t always help, so I m looking for more.
Perfect timings now that exams week started.
Well good luck on your exams. I know things will be tough and everything will seems to pressure you along the way but please have a goodnight sleep before your exams. That will really help you . 🙂