Stress is a normal part of life, and something everyone experiences from time to time. In small doses, it can even be helpful, keeping us focused and motivated to get things done. But when stress becomes too strong or lasts too long, it can start to impact our daily lives and take a toll on both our physical and mental wellbeing.
Many different situations can lead to stress, and the causes often change as we move through different stages of life. For example, teenagers might feel stressed about exams, bullying, or challenges at home. In contrast, adults may experience stress related to work, major life changes such as becoming a parent, or managing ongoing health conditions.
While it’s impossible to avoid stress completely, there are effective ways to manage it before it starts to feel overwhelming.
Read below for some simple things you can do to help you manage you stress levels.
Get Active
Regular exercise can make you more resilient to stress in the long run. Bursts of physical activity can help you in the moment by allowing you to burn off feelings of stress and relieve muscle tension.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Eating a healthy diet is an important part of taking care of yourself. Aim to eat many fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Connect with Others
Social contact is a good stress reliever because it can offer distraction, give support, and help you put up with life's up and downs. So take a walk with a friend, email a relative or visit your place of worship.
Keep a Diary
Writing down your thoughts and feelings can be a good release, and can be a helpful way to work through them and make them less overpowering. Don't think about what to write, just let it happen. Write anything that comes to mind. No one else needs to read it.
Avoid Unhealthy Habits
Some people may use unhealthy habits to deal with stress. These may include drinking too much caffeine or alcohol, smoking, eating too much, or using illegal substances. These habits can harm your health and increase your stress levels.
Get Restful Sleep
Sleep problems are common when you’re struggling with stress, and can even make the symptoms of stress worse. Therefore, it’s important to try to get adequate rest for dealing with burnout caused by stress.
Maintain a Routine
When elements of our lives seem unmanageable, routines can give us a sense of control. Sticking to a daily pattern of sleeping, eating, and exercising within reason can help you fight the effects of stress.
Seek Therapy
Therapy may be a good idea if you feel overwhelmed or trapped, or worry a great deal, If you are having trouble carrying out daily routines or meeting duties it is worth looking into. Professional therapists can help you find the sources of your stress and help teach you new coping tools.
