Stress is the body’s natural defense against real or imagined danger. Fight, flight or freeze. It can be that feeling when you are struggling to cope with challenges in life related to work, finances, relationships and other situations. Are you trying to reduce stress in your life? There is a lot of information out there, but some helpful hints for reducing stress in your life addresses having a positive attitude, accepting there are some events you cannot control, setting limits and giving yourself permission to say no to requests that would create excessive stress.
Dealing with stress requires self – care. Eating healthy, making time for hobbies, interests and relaxation and spending time with people whose company you enjoy are beneficial. Your body needs time to recover from stressful events, so getting enough rest and sleep are essential.
Stress is often used interchangeably with anxiety, fear, nervousness or panic. When experiencing any of these feelings some areas you may wish to pursue include:
- Taking time for deep breathing, meditation, exercise or yoga
- Aromatherapy
- Talking to someone you feel comfortable sharing your situation and feelings
- Listening to music that relax or revive you
- Laughing! Looking for humor in your everyday life.
- Setting short-term goals, you can reach and reward yourself for meeting them.
- Set SMART goals – specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-limited.
- Saying no – gracefully.
- Choosing to look for good in others and yourself
Health professionals trained in stress management and biofeedback techniques can also help you learn healthy ways of dealing with stress in your life.
For more information:
www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stressmanagement/in-depth/exercise-and-stress