Stress Management: Healthy Ways to Control Stress
We all feel stressed at one time or another. It is a normal and healthy response to a change or a challenge. But stress that lasts more than a few weeks can affect your health. Keep the stress of getting sick by learning healthy ways to control it.
Learn to Recognize Stress
The first step in dealing with stress is to recognize the presence of stress in your life. Everyone feels stress differently. You may be angry or irritable, unable to sleep, or suffer from headaches or stomach upset.
What are the signs of stress in you? Once you know the characters you need to look for, you can start.
In addition, identify situations that can cause stress. These situations are known as stressors. Your stressors can be family, school, work, relationships, money or health problems. Once you understand where your stress comes from, you can think of ways to manage your stressors.
Avoid Reducing Stress in Little Health
By feeling stressed, you can resort to unhealthy behaviors that help you relax.
This behavior can be:
- Eat too much
- Smoking cigarettes
- drink alcohol and use drugs
- Too much sleep or not enough sleep
These behaviors can help you feel better at first, but they can hurt you more than they help you. Instead, use the tips below to find healthy ways to reduce stress.
Find Healthy Techniques to Manage Stress
There are many ways to handle stress. Try a few to find out which ones are best for you.
- Recognize things you can not change.
If you accept that you can not change things, you can let them go and not get upset. For example, you can not change the fact that you have to drive in rush hour. But you can look for ways to relax while driving, for example by listening to a podcast or audiobook.
- Avoid stressful situations. Stay away from the source of stress as much as possible. For example, if your family is on vacation, take a break and take a walk or get in the car.
- Exercise. Physical activity every day is the easiest and easiest way to manage stress. When you exercise, your brain releases chemicals that make you feel good. It can also help you with your accumulated energy or frustration. Look for something you like, be it walking, cycling, softball, swimming or dancing, and do it for at least 30 minutes most days.
- Change your perspective. Try to develop a more positive attitude towards challenges. You can do this by replacing negative thoughts with more positive thoughts. For example, instead of thinking, ‘Why is everything still wrong?’, Change this idea to ‘I can find a way to overcome this’. At first, it may sound difficult or stupid, but you may find that it helps you change your perspective.
- Do something you like. When stress changes, do something you like to get back on track. It can be as simple as reading a good book, listening to music, watching your favorite movie or going out to dinner with a friend. Or start a new hobby or a new lesson. Whatever you choose, try to do at least one thing a day that is only for you.
- Learn new ways to relax. The practice of relaxation techniques is a great way to handle daily stress. Relaxation techniques help you slow down your heart rate and lower your blood pressure. There are many types, from deep breathing and meditation to yoga and tai chi. Take a lesson or try to learn from books, videos or online resources.
- Connect with your loved ones. Do not let stress come between you and your social life. Spending time with family and friends can help you feel better and forget stress. Entrusting your problems to a friend can also help you solve them.
- Be sure to sleep well. Having enough rest at night can help you think clearly and have more energy. This facilitates problem solving. Try to sleep between 7 and 9 hours each night.
- Ensure a healthy diet. Healthy eating helps energize your body and mind. Avoid high-sugar snacks and consume plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, e lean and dairy-free proteins.
- Learn to say no. If your stress comes from too many tasks at home or at work, learn to set limits. Ask others for help when you need it.
Resources
If you feel that you are unable to cope with stress yourself, it is best to contact your health care provider. You can also consider consulting a therapist or counselor can help you find other ways to handle stress. Depending on the cause of your stress, it may also be helpful to become a member of a support group.