Stress is a state of mental or physical strain resulting from certain external or internal factors, leading to an uncomfortable or unpleasant body state.
We all face stressful life situations, ranging from minor annoyances like traffic jams to severe worries, such as a loved one’s grave illness. No matter what the cause, stress floods your body with hormones. Your heart pounds, your breathing speeds up, and your muscles tense.
This so-called “stress response” is a normal reaction to threatening situations honed in our prehistory to help us survive threats like an animal attack or a flood. Today, you rarely face these physical dangers, but challenging problems in daily life can set off the stress response. Of course, you can’t avoid all sources of stress in your life, nor would you want to. But you can develop healthier ways of responding to them.
What is stress management?
Stress management is identifying, assessing, and controlling stress so that it doesn’t become a problem. It is the act of reducing its adverse emotional and physiological effects, and you can do this by making the right choices for yourself and taking time to relax and de-compress. The ultimate goal is a balanced life vital to maintaining physical and mental well-being.
Many people get so caught up in the moment that they don’t stop and take a look at how their stress affects them. You’ll be much better by learning simple solutions and managing this state regularly.
6 things you can do to manage stress more effectively
1. Exercise
Physical activity helps rest your body from working so hard during the day. Whether it is high intensity interval training, a walk in the park, or a long evening bike ride, exercise releases ”feel good hormones” that can help you relax and relieve both physical and mental tension.
2. Eating healthy food
Eating nutritious, healthy food can improve your mental and physical health. Unfortunately, many people often turn to comfort food that may be unhealthy when faced with stress. Foods that are promoted in the Mediterranean diet are the same foods that are good to eat when you’re stressed: fish, poultry, fruits, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats.
3. Talking it out
Maintaining a sense of connectedness to others is essential to reducing stress. It is important to have someone you can depend upon to always be there to discuss things in your life that are causing this state. Sometimes a fresh perspective can enlighten you on the situation and provide solutions you may not have seen otherwise.
4. Practice mindfulness
Whether Falun Dafa exercises, yoga, or breathing exercises, mindfulness has been found to promote optimism, happiness, positive emotional states, and self-acceptance. Each of these outcomes aids in the promotion of emotional expression.
5. Stay organized
Much of your daily stress can be caused by forgotten appointments or items, over-packed calendars, unhealthy on-the-go eating, etc. Plan ahead! Lay out backpacks, briefcases, and clothes the night before. Have an assigned place in the house for important paperwork and mail. Use the weekend to prepare healthy meals for the week, so there is no excuse to stop for fast food. Being prepared will reduce the stress associated with daily activities.
6. Practice positive self-talk
Instead of resorting to an ”I can’t do this” mentality, think ”I am going to do the best I can” and then accept that what you can do is good enough! Embrace the things you can change, laugh, and slow down.
Realize the positives in your life and around you. Try to get more in touch with the simple pleasures in life. Remember to take time for yourself; resurrect your favorite hobby, read a book, hang out with friends, listen to music, or enjoy your surroundings and take a walk in nature. All these things will help you cope with the inevitable stress life brings.
Conclusion
Stress can be helpful in small doses, but it can harm your health when it becomes chronic. Therefore, finding ways to manage this state is essential so that it doesn’t become a burden in your life. Managing it more effectively will have positive effects on your heart and overall health, allowing for a long and pleasurable life!
