Stress is something we have all experienced at one point in our lives from sitting an exam to preparing for a presentation at work. Stress is how your body reacts to a situation and causes physical, mental or emotional strain. According to the Mental Health Foundation 74% of Brits last year were feeling ‘overwhelmed’ or ‘unable to cope’.
We cannot control the difficulties presented to us but can choose how we handle each issue we encounter. It is that resilience that will help you, that strength that will get you through the tough times. I do not deal with stress very well, so much so I was diagnosed with severe IBS as a teenager. Over the years I have learned how to cope and would like to share them with you today.
Consume different media
What type of content are you engaging in? Is your feed full of inspiration and motivation or is it causing you some form of stress? Social media and TV can both play into how you are feeling so look for content that will uplift your mood. I have a day off social media every Sunday, it gives me the necessary time to connect with others, read a book or see a friend and have a real conversation.
Communicate
Instead of waiting until boiling point, let your friend, partner or family member know when you are feeling frustrated. It’s tempting to isolate but instead, let it out. According to a study conducted by UCLA, talking about your emotions can lessen the intensity of sadness, anger, and pain. Communication isn’t just about talking to friends and family though, it is about connecting with your inner self. Try the Calm app, when I am feeling stressed it works as a daily reminder to breathe. It gives me an opportunity to pause and instantly makes me feel calmer.
Change your mindset
Your mindset has a huge impact in how you handle stress. Take a step back and reevaluate the situation, and how you view things. If you can’t control this problem, then focus on what you can control. If it’s not going to matter in 5 years, don’t spend more than 5 minutes on it. Being Aries, I am quite competitive so it helps viewing my stressors as obstacles to overcome. Treating stress as something to learn from rather than dwelling on the negative aspects can help ease it and put you in a better state of mind. Have you tried my morning routine? It will empower and help you find positivity as well as remind you what to be thankful for.