How To Help Yourself In Stressful Times

Stress! Who in their entire life hasn't gone through a stressful moment? Whoever says otherwise is definitely lying. Some people experience it more often than others and some people can cope better.

So let me help you out.

Let's start with defining the term. Stress is an emotional and/ or physical tension faced by a person stuck in a situation they don't want to be in. The mentioned situation can be due to an event or thought that makes you feel a negative emotion.

Stress is not always a bad thing. stress can have positive effects on certain people when they receive it in short bursts. It can help you avoid danger or help you meet a deadline. If you were incapable of feeling stress then some people wouldn't wake up from their bed in the morning, won't reach on designated times and never finish a task given to them. Stress helps you to do that.

But it's dangerous when our stress becomes chronic in nature, which can lead to many disastrous health effects on our body and mind. If faced with too much stress and anxiety, it prohibits the body and mind to work efficiently. In extreme cases it can cause panic attacks and can become paralyzing.

Stress is unavoidable. But it can be copped with, in a more efficient manner.

Let's learn how.

CLEAN YOUR SPACE

This seems to be such a simple thing to keep in mind, but really all the solutions that actually will end up working for you will be simple and right in front of you.

Just decluttering your home and your workspace will make you feel 10 times better about yourself and your surrounding. It gives you a perception that if you could achieve this you can head-on face the other challenges too. Everything starts looking easier and more doable.

Sometimes the simplest of the things can help make big changes in your life.

AROMA THERAPY

Some scents and smells have the ability to instantly calm you and divert your mind from the ongoing pressure. There are so many aromas in the market today, look out for what makes an impact on you. May that be lavender, eucalyptus, Rose chamomile or orange. Find the aroma that instantly makes you feel the calmness and brings you out from the circle of thought you have been thinking about. Get a scented candle, or essential oils. You can apply a few drops on your wrist or pour in a few drops in your humidifier. or simply just get a cream with the aroma that does the same effect.

TAKE A BREAK

Taking a break in any circumstance is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of knowledge. The knowledge you have about yourself and how you can work better. Taking a break can do wonders not only on your stress levels but also on your productivity. A change in your environment helps your mind relax for a while and enjoy the now, which in turn helps in getting rid of the stress and anxiety that you have been carrying around in your workplace or home.

Also not just during tough times but also after every important activity if you can take a small break and go out for a walk or just stand on your balcony away from ongoing, can help a lot. Try going for a walk after lunch before you go back to your routine, in the morning before starting your routine and at night after finishing your work, which is a way to get relaxed and leave the day behind. Start slow and start with anyone time that is convenient to you and then increase from there.

Your schedule, Your time, Your decisions.

BEING ACTIVE

Exercise is one of the most effective ways to reduce body's stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. It is also responsible for stimulating the production of the endorphins - chemicals in the brain that the body's natural painkillers and mood elevators. Now I know starting an exercise regime is not always easy. There are people who say to me - What if I don't like exercising?, What is I don't have the time? What is I don't have the money to pay for a gym membership? I Have so much on plate already. Excuses!

Think of it this way, your body and mind that protects you from so many germs and diseases that helps you from moving, holding, staying, running, jumping and what not- why not do it for them.

Also, pick an exercise you like, exercise just isn't climbing the treadmill and running a mile, there are so many different kinds of exercises - Yoga, walking, jogging, running, Cardio, cross-fit, HIIT, Strength training, Pilates, cycling, dancing and whatnot. It's not one size fits all kind of scenario. Pick your favorite. and start slow, start with 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week and then increase from there. Don't stop if you don't enjoy a particular set but go ahead and try something new, youtube is available for everyone, why not make use of it.

DANCING

If you have pets you would know this. Have you ever noticed when a dog is stressed all they do is shake up their bodies and get back to normal. Dancing and shaking up a bit has the same effect on our bodies too. Try this next time when you are stressed, play your favorite music and just start moving in any way or form you like. The point is to let your self be, loosen up. Let the stress and the unwanted thoughts move out of you. Enjoy the NOW. You can groove, swirl, jump, bounce, crawl, do whatever you feel like and I am sure by the time you are panting with all the dancing, if not 100% but you will surely feel 50% better then before. I am sure you will end up with a smile and a happy heart to carry on with the rest of your day.

There is so much we can learn from nature.

GET ENOUGH SLEEP

It's not for no reason that people tell us to sleep when we are stressed, Sleep gives you a new perspective. Sleep realizes all the hormones that are responsible for anxiety and allows you to look at everything with fresh eyes. In fact when you are stressed your body needs additional rest to rewind back.

Don't let work or anything else take away from your sleeping schedule. Sleep is the most important kind of stress relief medicine you can have. Sleep 7-9 hours a day.

DO YOUR BEST

We all after a certain age want to do our best, give our best, but instead of making us achieve that it leads us towards the anxiety that we should and must produce the best product, the best service, the best content. Better than everyone else. All this does is make you focus on the non existent race to an invisble goal. That in turn causes more and more stress. Instead of striving to be the best person ever, why not strive to do your best today. To do better than yesterday. Instead of competing with others why not compete with yourself, do your best today and try to do it a little bit better tomorrow.

Others are not your competition, stop competing with them, start competing with your procrastination, your workload, your talent, you trying and taking one more step than you did yesterday.

Aiming for perfection isn't the route to take, coz it isn't really possible, there will always be something that will be lacking. There will always be someone better than you. Instead, be proud of your journey. Be proud of how far you have come. and try to do it a bit better tomorrow.

Focusing on the results and wanting to do the best, might cause anxiety to kick in. Why not focus on the process and enjoy it.

ACCEPTING YOU CAN'T CONTROL EVERYTHING

Instead of just going round and round in your mind, you can end the endless loop with a conscious effort. Try to consciously monitor your thoughts and ask yourself these few questions. Put your stress into perspective.

Is this really as bad as you think? What is the worst that can happen?

This will show you that at the end of it all even the worst possible outcome won't be as bad as you think it will. Also try asking yourself-

What can and can't you control?

If you can't control it what is the point of stressing about it.

And what I generally do is ask myself, what if today is my last day living this life on this planet? What if after today I won't be able to do the things I want to do, live with people I want to live with and love them like I want to love them? Would I still be stressing about this then? this in turn turns your, mind and pushes it towards feeling gratitude for all the good things you have in your life. And all the things you want to concentrate on instead.

LEARN WHAT TRIGGERS YOUR ANXIETY

Try to learn more about yourself and start to see yourself from the eye of the observer. Generally when we notice things happening with other people we feel and take it much lighter. But when the same things happen with us we act as a full-blown volcano. Why? Coz we keep ourselves in the middle of it and set ourselves as a victim. Instead, start to see yourself from a perspective of others not as yourself. That will help you realize and notice a lot of things about yourself. Like, notice what exactly triggers your anxiety. Is it work, family, school, or something else you can identify? Make a note when you are feeling stressed or anxious, and look for a pattern in it all. If it is related to something you can identify learn to overcome it, whether by avoiding it or by realizing it's not as important and not letting it affect you in a way it does.

Everything tough takes time, but it's always worth it.

TALK TO SOMEONE

We generally come to the conclusion after an immense internal battle that we don't want to burden other people with our problems. That it's stupid problem, that it doesn't mean anything. What will they think of me?

All this generally doesn't matter. What matters is your well being and your mental health.

Tell friends and family you're feeling overwhelmed, and let them know how they can help you.

When this doesn't seem to help I would always recommend you to talk to a physician or therapist for professional help.

Imagine you are having a bad headache. You will talk to your family and friends about it and they will tell you some homemade remedies. But when nothing works will you go to the doctor or will you assume that something is wrong with you and that you need to suffer from the ache all your life. No, you will go to the doctor to treat it. Do the same with stress and anxiety. When a doctor is needed, a doctor is needed. Please don't overlook your problems. Focus on them and do everything you can to make it better.

Love yourself how you would love others.

SAY NO.

We all need to learn this, I know I did. for the longest time when someone had a request no matter how bizarre, and no matter how full my plate usually was I would end up saying yes. Getting my days crammed with all the things that didn't add meaning to my life, would make me frustrated to no end. May that be talking to my friends listening to them for hours when I already had a ton of work to finish or saying yes to the work for free, coz it was important for them.

Saying "yes" to every request can result in an unmanageable to-do list that creates stress and anxiety. Saying "No" doesn't mean that you're wrong it just means you're busy. It's ok to set boundaries and to be clear about it. Clear and kind. Be more assertive about what you want and more importantly what you don't want. That's ok.

Some Do's To Help you through this journey.

Having some Green tea a day keeps the stress away. Well not always, but it does help. Green Tea increases the Serotonin Levels which are the happy hormones in our body. Start with one cup a day and increase if needed.

Laughter relieves stress. Have you ever had a time when you would sit with your friends, family or siblings and just laughed over silly things, things so stupid others might not even crack a smile. But all the laughing, how does it make you feel? It makes you feel like everything in the world is nice and good and there is nothing worth worrying about at that moment. If you have friends that help you do that, then there is nothing like that, but even popping a comedy show and laughing your heart out helps.

Music has been my companion through thick and thin. Soothing music has the power to lower your blood pressure and your heart rate, transport you to the land where everything is right and nothing can ever go wrong. Try some online playlists and see which one you like the most. Keep them close when hard times come by.

Chewing Gum has reported lowering stress levels. It focuses your mind on something else. Try it for yourself.

SOME DON'Ts

Having caffeine has reported increasing anxiety levels in people. Caffeine has its own benefits but you suffer from anxiety start reducing the intake of coffee and tea.

Procrastination. I know it's not always easy to NOT procrastinate. But the more you procrastinate the more anxiety and stress you will be feeling as your workload keeps increasing. This can even lead to panic attacks in some cases. Try to start your work on time and maintain a to-do list, this will help you stay organized and keep you in check.

Negative/ Stressed People. I know I said talk to your friends and family. But If you yourself are suffering from anxiety don't go out and help others. If you can't listen and let it go, please don't do it. Listening is not for everyone. Stress and anxiety can be extremely contagious in many, many cases. Choose your group wisely.

I hope this helped you in some way. I am not an expert on this topic and this is just my 2 cents on the topic. Wish you well and hope you feel like your best version soon.

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