Nobody can escape stress completely. Therefore, it is important for you to learn healthy ways to manage it.
Too many people attempt to manage their stressors by abusing alcohol or drugs. The stress relievers below can help you to manage your stress without suffering the negative consequences of alcohol or drug abuse.
One way to manage your stress is to realize that a moderate amount of stress can be a motivator that will help you to do some of the things you do not want to do but that you need to do. Doing your taxes every year, for example, is stressful, but you must do them.
Another way to deal with stress is to cultivate optimism and gratitude. As William James said, “The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” Thus, when faced with a challenge, remind yourself of your strengths, and picture a good outcome. Also, remember, with gratitude, your blessings.
Prayer is a stress reliever. Senator John McCain certainly was stressed when he was imprisoned in a Vietnamese concentration camp during the war in Viet Nam. He once said, “I believe in prayer. I pray every night.”
Exercise is an excellent way to manage your stress. You do not have to spend hours in a gym. You can decrease your stress merely by walking as little as 20 minutes a day.
Deep breathing techniques will reduce your stress. You can do these stress management techniques almost anywhere and at almost any time.
Skills such as problem-solving, prioritizing of tasks, and time management are good stress relievers. You would do well to learn these skills.
Personal relationships can be stressful. You should attempt to improve them.
A professional counselor can help people to better understand and deal with their stressors.
Relaxing music can be a welcome break after a stressful day. Recorded sounds of nature, such as ocean waves, also can be relaxing.
Nature can be relaxing to you. Try to spend some time in nature on a regular basis.
Self-care is important. A healthy diet and enough sleep and hydration are necessary.
Reading can be a stress reliever. Spend some time reading those books or magazines that relax you.
Aromatherapy uses essential oils/scents to reduce your stress. Experiment to see which scents relax you the most.
Stretching helps to relax your muscles. Your relaxed muscles will help you to manage your stress better.
As Hans Selye once said, “It is not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it.”
My book has a lot of good information about exercise as a stress reducer.
What do you do to manage your stress?
