In the fast paced, achievement based, career driven, and technology dependent life, avoiding stress completely is almost impossible. However it is possible to observe some daily practices which will help manage the debilitating effects of stress and achieve a healthy mind and body.
Seek professional help if you feel it is necessary
Many people find it difficult to manage stress related to day to day life. Due to the social stigma attached to seeking professional help in relation to mental health, most adults as well as teenagers avoid seeking professional help. However, seeking professional help is the most important step you can take to safeguard your mental and physical health. Your mental health and wellbeing is not something to be taken lightly. Maintaining your physical and mental wellbeing should be one of your top priorities. It is essential that you seek help from a professional, if you feel such help is necessary to manage your stress level. Professionals are capable of understanding the underlying causes of stress and help you find a solution. You can ask a school counselor or your family doctor for help if you feel that the stress level in your daily life is overwhelming and that it is affecting your school or work performance and the quality of your relationships seeking help may benefit you tremendously in the long run. A trained professional will be able to help you to come up with a plan to cope with stress and manage and delegate your tasks to help you be more productive an help you improve your mental health.
Adopt a minimalist lifestyle
Minimizing material possessions and getting rid of unnecessary items can help reduce stress, by reducing responsibilities related to home maintenance and organization. By choosing to surround yourself with things that you need, love and adds value to your life you become more relaxed and it helps you to become more content with your life. Gradually introducing minimalism, even in a few areas of your life, will greatly help reduce stress.
Meditate and Exercise
Meditation has become one of the most effective and highly used techniques to manage the ill effects of stress. Meditation has proven health benefits such as reducing stress and anxiety, improving the memory and concentration. Try to spend at least 10 minutes a day to sit in a quiet room and do some breathing exercises or follow a guided meditation for beginners. Meditation will help you to reduce anxiety, depression and help you become more focused and productive.
Physical exercise has proven to be very beneficial in improving your mental health. Exercise releases endorphins which helps you feel happy. Physical activity will help you to maintain a healthy weight, and fend off illnesses such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Exercise has also helped people battle with depression. If your goal is to reduce stress in your life make it a point to exercise daily and be more physically active.
Save for an emergency
Financial related stress affects the majority of the working adults. Given the rising cost of living, debts, the lack of job security and increasing unemployment, money troubles seem to be the one of the leading causes of stress. Make it a point to save an emergency fund of at least 6 months of living expenses so you can have some peace of mind, even if you suddenly find yourself unemployed.
Talk to a Friend and Get a Pet
Having a close group of friends whom you can rely on for advice or help when needed can be a great way to reduce stress. Studies have shown that people who have successful relationships and friendships tend to live longer, be more positive. It can also help you feel less isolated.
Having a pet such as a dog, cat, or a bird helps with reducing stress and anxiety, become more social and even help you become more outgoing and physically active in your daily life.
Having a pet such as a dog, cat, or a bird helps with reducing stress and anxiety, become more social and even help you become more outgoing and physically active in your daily life.
Simplify Your Daily Life
Adopting a few simple habits such as making your bed in the morning, being more organized, creating a bill payment method, and spending time with your family will greatly reduce stress in your life and build better relationships within the family.
Find a hobby or interest that is completely unrelated to your job or career field.
As we become working adults it is quite common that we tend to forget our hobbies/interests which were part of our childhood or we simply don’t have the time to even think about a hobby. These hobbies were often simple pleasures such as collecting stamps, seashells or rocks, writing, and singing. These hobbies helped us to relax and reduce stress. As adults even if we follow a certain course of study or develop a skill, it is usually in the hopes of advancing your career and to improve our skills to do our jobs or to add another achievement to our resumes. It is very helpful to adopt a new hobby or interest which has nothing to do with your career. These hobbies will serve as a welcome distraction from work and the stress associated with it. I personally started this blog as way to express my ideas and experiences. This simple hobby which is not even remotely connected to my career has helped me a great deal in dealing with stress.