“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” William James
In life, we experience all kinds of feelings. No one will say he remains happy all around the year. It is practically impossible. You feel happy, sad, lost, frustrated, angry, moody, etc. But you know who is the best one among us?
The one who knows how to act out in the different states of emotions, one who has better control over himself. The problem arises when we fail to manage these feelings, which turns out to cause stress in our minds.
A Brief Introduction To Stress
In medical terms, stress is a state of mind in which our body releases cortisol (a stress hormone) and put our body in a fight or flight condition. But practically speaking, stress is a condition that fills our minds with negative thoughts and makes us feel helpless.
In stressful conditions, our minds freeze, and all our reasoning and analytical skills are lost somewhere. We keep on demotivating ourselves.
Our mind is breaming with these voices:
“I am completely useless; how can I not accomplish this task.”
“It is all my fault.”
“Why it all happens to me? All the misfortune of the world is only in my fate.”
Quite relatable; yes, we all experience it somewhere in our life.
In all these thoughts, we are just blaming ourselves instead of realizing we cannot control all the outcomes in the universe. Everything will not go as we plan. We have control over our efforts but not over the results of that task.
Six Activities That Help You To Counter Your Stress
Just do not ignore your little intuitions of anxiety because if you let your feelings build up, they will burst out in the most unpleasing way.
It is not impossible to control your stress level. At the initial level, you can ace it with simple tips and tricks without any medical therapy.
Now let’s check what you should do to cope with stress.
- Indulge Yourself In Physical Activity
Any physical activity that will make you happy will work as a stress reliever.
It does not mean you start doing cardio, squats, pushups, etc. No, even a walk of 20 minutes will create a difference in your mood. You can adopt cycling, running, jogging, yoga, meditation, etc.; your only purpose should be to have a meaningful onset of the day.
Starting your day with healthy activities will refresh your mind and body to face the upcoming challenges of the day. Moreover, it will neutralize your stress hormone and fill your body with positive energy.
If you are looking for ideas on how to start your day: read this article: Five Morning Habits For The meaningful Onset Of The Day.
When we exercise, our body releases endorphins (those transmitters that create a feeling of happiness) that neutralize our stress hormones and elevate our mood.
So reset your timetable and designate 30 minutes of your morning for some exercise or pleasureful physical activity.
- Maintain A Proper Work-life Balance
Sometimes, human beings forget that they aren’t robots; they are humans that require a break and rest from work. You call it either dedication or need of time; nothing can justify your overwork. Life is all bout creating a balance.
It’s good to be diligent and work hard but only during working hours; when your shift is over, completely forget all your work-life worries.
Give time to yourself and your loved ones in your free time. More work with no play is never a good option.
Let me give you some ideas on how to spend your leisure time:
- Spend quality time with your loved ones.
- Go out on vacation twice a year.
- Adopt a hobby and perform it whenever you are free.
- Go fishing, long drives, picnic, swimming, sunbathing alone or with your partner.
- Throw a party at your home or attend other parties.
Some people do not take a break with the intuition of what they will do in their free time. It is suitable for them to remain busy. No, understand your mind’s needs and find happiness in different activities. Work is a stress giver, and a break is a stress reliever.
This article clarifies your concept about taking a break: Why Should You Take A Break From Work?
- Eat Healthy Food
Eat healthy to remain healthy both physically and mentally.
Some people curb junk food in stressful conditions. It will provide you a timely satisfaction with a long-lasting health disaster.
Avoid junk food as much as you can. Here are some tips on avoiding junk food; read them to get rid of this habit: Five Pro Tips To Cure Junk Food Cravings.
Healthy eating habits make your immune system more robust and muscular; your core fights against stress well. Moreover, polyunsaturated fatty acids contain omega-3 acids that lower cortisol production, reducing stress levels.
Now it is your choice to have a timely solution to your stress through junk food or permanently cure it with the aid of healthy food.
- Own A Pet
If you are living alone, then it is the best possible solution to relieve your stress.
Imagine someone is waiting for you when you come back home and immediately hugging you when you open the door; that feeling is enough to ease your mind from all the worries.
Owning a pet will never be a wrong decision. Cuddling or playing with your pet releases the hormone oxytocin in your body that will elevate your mood.
Research has proved that pet owners, especially dog owners, have reduced loneliness, and their life is filled with satisfaction and positivity. So, go out, buy a pet and share all your worries with your little companion.
- Take Your Evening Tea In The Company Of Nature
Nature comes first if you start listing stress relievers.
You are present in the company of peacefulness and calmness and think it will not affect you. No
Your favorite tea with a light evening breeze paired with the chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves, and the scents of adorable flowers.
Do you think that this scenario fails to calm your mind?
That is why many Psychiatrists suggest their patients have a morning or evening walk. People feel safe in the company of nature; nature fills them with energy to cope with the condition rather than avoiding it.
On medical grounds, nature lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormone levels, strengthens our immune system, and elevates our mood. So, if you have a garden, spend some quality time there; otherwise, outdoor parks are always there for you.
- Prioritize Your Needs
Do you know who the most important person in our life is?
It is ourselves. No family member or loved one or anyone is more important than yourself. Your body is your right to practice self-care; if we are good, we will only be capable of caring for our loved ones. So, start prioritizing your needs; everything will be put on hold for every task but not your health.
Practicing self-care does not want further elaboration; it means doing what you want. Research conducted by students shows that self-care is a source of self-esteem, a way to cure stress, and improves the quality of life.
Five Tips To Avoid The Stressful Condition
- Share Your Problems With Your Friends And Family
You are not a powerful being who can solve every problem independently. Start sharing your situation with your friends and family.
In most cases, they will give you a solution to the problem or at least motivate you that you are not alone in fighting this; we are with you. That feeling that someone is backing me up provides the courage to ace every hardship of life.
- Learn How To Say No
I have already mentioned that you prioritize your needs.
If you feel you cannot do it, say not. Do not push yourself for a thing you are not comfortable with. Do not put your mind in gaze for others; have a clear conscious of what you need or can do and then make the decision.
- Complete Your Work Before The Deadline
Procrastination (attitude of delaying every task) is the leading cause of stress, especially in practical life. I am also suffering from it.
Now let’s both of us take an oath that we do not delay the work until the deadline. Planning is essential even in a small task; otherwise, you will end up stressed when you do not complete the job.
- Do Not Overthink Every Matter
Let bygone be bygones.
Do not stress your mind over some past situations. We cannot control our past, but overthinking past events can negatively influence our present or future. Do not ruin your present with your past. Move on and face the world more fearlessly.
- Stop Interacting With Negative People
All of us interact with some who are filled with negativity. They will demotivate you and constantly remind you that you cannot do this.
Stop interacting with those people. They are like parasites who slowly engulf your whole confidence and shatter your self-belief. Positive criticism improves your personality, but negative criticism (it is due to the jealousy factor) will destroy you.
That is why It is necessary to acknowledge who is your benefactor and who is a black sheep in your social circle.
In the end, keep reminding yourself that I am the best; whatever everyone says, I will prove them wrong. Have faith in your efforts and work diligently to achieve your aim.
Conclusion
Being stressed out over some circumstances is not a problem; everyone faces this. Life is all about ups and downs.
But learn how to cope with it and stabilize your brain when stressed. The problem arises when the situation goes out of control.
Check the source of stress, and eradicating it puts your mind at ease.
Here it ends!
Do not push yourself hard. If you fail to overcome the stress, consult a physician for help.
