Stress comes along with everyday problems related to work, family, money, health and so many other factors. It all depends on how we handle our day to day issues in life, if we are not equipped to face these daily stresses, then it’s tough to handle ourselves and easily get upset and stressed out. There are very simple ways of handling it, and when we practice a few techniques, it will definitely contribute to our mental health.
1)Be Assertive- Learn to Say No
If we are constantly under pressure of being pulled from all directions all the time, and feel powerless about handling your own time, then it is time to learn to say NO! Give up the need to please everyone, and don’t take on responsibilities that you don’t have time for, or that which invade your personal time.
With room for compromise and discussion, it is always possible to let others know that you are weighed down by too much, and reduce your social and work obligations to a more manageable level. The next time you promise to meet five different friends at five different venues in one evening, evaluate the pressure you are putting yourself through.
See if the deadline is realistic, and see what adjustments can be made. Say no to some commitments if you feel it’s taxing you too much. Finally, ask for help if you think you need it!
2) Avoid Multi-Tasking
If you have too many things on your plate, the best way to tackle it is to only do one thing at a time. Do not get worked up and try to multi-task as this will probably only make you muddle up all the tasks. Instead, pick the most urgent task and complete it. Then go on to the next one and so on. This will help you systematically accomplish your to-do list and make you feel in control.
3) Take Time Out
If you are feeling frustrated, bogged down and overwhelmed, it is best to take some time off. Since you always have some amount of control over your schedule, try not to pile your schedule with too many activities. Meet your friends and laugh with them. Indulge in activities you’ve always enjoyed doing with them. This will ensure that you take your mind off stressful situations and your daily worries.
Concentrate on the quality of the tasks in your daily schedule rather than the quantity. Stop over-scheduling yourself to the point of exhaustion, because it will only make you feel worn thin and distracted all the time.
4) Work Your Body
As always, exercise and proper sleep are mentioned as the two constant factors to improve the quality of your life. Exercise helps you manage stress better and get your body functioning at its best, which automatically helps your mind function better too. Exercise relaxes your mind, helps you make better decisions and also keeps you healthy and fit.
As for getting enough sleep, it is very important. Without it, you become lethargic, and your mind can’t function to its best ability. An average adult person needs 7 to 9 hours of sleep, which gives the body enough time to recover and rejuvenate. Without enough sleep, you also have a tendency to get more stressed and worked up about your daily worries.
5) Watch Your Diet
If you love your daily ten cups of coffee, smoke regularly and drink more than once a week, you’re only making it harder on your body to handle stress. If you maintain a balanced diet, your body automatically copes better with changes in your schedule. It will also give your more energy and keep your mind alert to handle day-to-day worries.
Decreasing the amount of coffee, alcohol, sugar and cutting down on smoking can only help increase the quality of your life. Limit your intake of comfort foods or junk foods and you’ll begin noticing the difference in your stress levels.
6) Take a Vacation
Most people wait till they are burned out before they take a break from their routines. But it’s an obvious fact that if you take periodic time off from your work and daily schedule, you will come back refreshed after the change and will be able to handle daily stresses in a healthier manner. You will not realize how stressed out you are until you break the daily routine, and go in for a drastic change in pace. So, don’t wait to take those days off!
7) Give Yourself Alone Time
Giving yourself alone-time might seem impossible, especially if you have a packed schedule that leaves you with no time. But maybe just before you hit the sack, you could find time to reflect on your day for 15 minutes, read a book, listen to some music or solve a puzzle. The key factor is giving yourself time alone to recuperate and refresh yourself.
At the end of the day, we all know that people’s lives have become way more stressful and hectic than they used to be before, but that doesn’t mean we cannot adapt to be able to cope. It is just a question of cultivating healthy habits for the mind and body.
No comments:
Post a Comment