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Stress can be useful if our adrenaline rush increases our productivity and quick wits: then we can do what is important to us in time. However, chronic stress is always bad.
Chronic stress often leads to problems such as anxiety, insomnia, muscle pain, hypertension, weakened immune system… Studies show that stress can contribute to the development of depression, obesity, severe cardiovascular disease. How to deal with stress? A few recommendations from the American Psychological Association.
Get rid of everything superfluous
Make a list of your current to-dos and projects. Select among them absolutely necessary and cross out everything else. Discuss with your superiors a list of your responsibilities and priorities, and ask for advice about working on ongoing projects. As for non-work related duties (social, volunteer), talk to the people to whom you made promises and warn that at the moment you do not have the opportunity to fulfill them. You can also ask for help. Don’t take on any new commitments until you feel the stress levels in your life have dropped to an acceptable level.
Read more:
- Stress: release the vise
Engage a “support group”
Talk to a friend or relative with whom you have a close relationship. Tell them how hard it is for you and how you would like support and advice. Perhaps a loved one has experienced similar difficulties, and he will be able to share his experience. You don’t have to deal with life’s challenges alone. Help from family and friends can also give you the strength to lead a healthier lifestyle.
Take a small step towards a healthy lifestyle
By improving your health, you will add the energy you need to cope with life’s difficulties. Even small changes, such as cutting back on caffeine, can have positive effects. Studies show that without caffeine, people feel calmer, less “jerky”, sleep quality improves, energy increases, and unpleasant symptoms such as heartburn or muscle pain decrease or disappear. Walking or other aerobic physical activity can also help boost energy, improve focus, and reduce anxiety. Physical activity increases the production of endorphins and reduces the production of stress hormones.
Read more:
- How to relieve stress: 8 unusual ways
Get your sleep right
Chronically stressed people often have trouble sleeping or suffer from insomnia. It is important to go to bed every day at about the same time, sleep at least 7-8 hours. A couple of hours before bedtime, it is advisable to try to relax – listen to calm music, read a good book, take a bath, meditate. It is undesirable to eat a lot or exercise right before bedtime. If you often find yourself unable to sleep and laying in bed thinking about all your worries, try making a list of everything that worries you in advance. It is better to deal with problems in the morning, with a fresh mind.
Try to think positively
Try to find in what is happening positive, and not just negative sides, do not forget that emerging problems often open up new opportunities. Sometimes stress is caused by an insistence on doing everything perfectly. By setting more realistic standards and expectations for yourself, you can also reduce your stress levels.
If necessary, seek psychological advice!
See more at Thr American Psychological Association.