“Beating stress is easier than you think.”
“Our anxiety does not come from thinking about the future, but from wanting to control it.” —Kahlil Gibran
One of the most common causes of stress in life involves our feelings of inadequacy. Sometimes it is stressful because you feel that you are lacking in some way. Other times it is stressful because you feel that you are getting ahead of yourself or that your level is not high enough. There are many causes, but one thing for certain is that anything can cause stress in life—and probably will! Just remember this: you need to find your own level and you need to know what makes you happy and comfortable.
It is your time, your life, and you are the only person that can decide what you want to do with it. You are the one that is in control. Don’t let others tell you how to use your time because, at the end of the day, it is your opinion that counts.
When you’re stressed out, it’s easy to feel like your mind is racing out of control. By learning simple techniques for actively bringing your attention back to the present moment, you can learn how to better manage stress.
Self-Care Tips to Manage Stress:
There are many domains of self-care, Consider:
1. Identify the Stressor:
Stress occurs when you overthink what is happening. When you think, “this is it! I’m going to fail!” Hence, It will cause stress. Therefore, determine what are the most important things that are happening right now that are stressful to you. Say them out loud to yourself! Make a plan of action for them. Identify the stressor in your current situation. It can also be due to fatigue, depression, lack of sleep, etc
There can be Plenty of Reasons for Stress:
- Feeling that you are not good enough.
- Expecting too much of yourself.
- Feel like you’re in an uncomfortable situation where you don’t belong.
- Trying to please everyone around you.
- Trying to fit in with others.
- Feeling inadequate for the task at hand, e.g., not smart enough, not experienced enough, etc.
- Focusing on the difficulties rather than the good aspects of a situation or people around us.
- Pressure from the outside, work, family
- Impending deadlines.
- Low self-esteem.
2. Create a Calming Atmosphere :
You may not realize, but your environment is likely to affect your stress levels. If you’re not careful, your home can become a stressful place where nothing is going right.
Due to technological advancement in today’s world, most people are working from home instead of in offices. Since you will be working from your home office, it is important that your home office space is organized and has a calming atmosphere. Many people can get frustrated when they do not have a good, organized office space to work in. To avoid this, you need to start with the right office space. You can locate one that will enhance your home’s beauty while also helping to manage stress in the workplace. Many people prefer to work in a posh and serene office or studio, but there’s nothing wrong with doing your work in the outdoors. The outdoors are capable of promoting productivity and creativity by offering an exceptional view of nature while also creating a calming environment.
3. Boost Physical Health:
Studies show that relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce the effects of stress. Stress and poor nutrition often go together and can be a problem. Studies show that those who eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products live healthier lives.
- Exercise regularly. A 30-minute walk can reduce anxiety and raise physical health.
- Regular intake of fruits and vegetables.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
4. Practice Relaxation Techniques:
Studies show that relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises can help reduce the effects of stress. Practice some relaxation techniques on a daily basis to help combat stress. You don’t need to learn any special skills or memorize anything complicated. These simple methods will allow you to relax in minutes.
- Sit up straight
- take deep breaths, inhale for four seconds and exhale for six seconds
- lie down on a firm surface, and place your head on a pillow. Picture yourself floating away from your body. Relax, letting go of all other thoughts.
- take a warm bath. Don’t watch t.v. or read while you are taking the bath.
- meditate for a minimum of ten minutes each day.
- look at a picture that represents peace or harmony to you.
- depict your personal idea of peace on a drawing, painting, collage, piece of music, etc…
- it on the floor with your legs crossed and your hands resting on your knees. Close your eyes and clear your mind of all thoughts. Think of your breathing.
- sit in a quiet room and direct your attention to the sounds you can hear in the background. When you become completely relaxed, turn your attention to the room you are sitting in. Listen to the sounds that are coming from inside the room.
- visualize a giant bubble surrounding your body and tie it with a rope to a hook in the ceiling or floor. Imagine that tie being slowly pulled out of the rope as you become completely relaxed.
5. Reassess Priorities and Take Action:
We live in a culture of workaholics, so it can be hard to know when stress is harmful and when it’s just part of the package, and we’re expected to be in the office late.
Try to Understand that not All Stress is Bad:
There are two different types of stress: good and bad. Sure, we all want to reduce our total amount of stress in life — but you don’t want to stop facing challenges or feel like you’re running away from your problems. When you feel overwhelmed, take some time to figure out what’s weighing on your mind or what’s stressing you out.
As a leader, you have a lot going on. When you’re busy, it can be hard to separate the urgent from the important. It’s easy to get stuck endlessly prioritizing without ever taking action. To help you decide what’s important and what’s not worth your attention, try asking yourself if your to-do list is helping or hurting your long-term goals.
Embrace Change as a Chance to Grow:
I don’t think there’s a single person out there who doesn’t feel anxious about change. This is especially true when you’re talking about a major transition, like going from being an executive in the military to being CEO of a business. It’s not about being strong enough to go it alone—it’s about accepting that you don’t have to. You can use your network as a resource. A network of advisors can help you with everything from strategy to finance to morale. They can also help you build your courage to take action.
Recognize that Your Emotional Reaction is Normal:
Your reaction doesn’t have to be logical or rational. Sometimes, emotions are more powerful than logic. Even when you don’t know what’s going on, trust yourself and know that it’s okay not to understand all of the emotions you’re feeling today.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s vital to take care of yourself first. The only way you’ll be able to handle any specific situation is by working through it in a healthy way so that you stay emotionally and physically strong.
