Anxiety & Stress: 5 Steps To Deal With It
Nobody is here without anxiety and stress. In today’s era life can’t be imagined without stress. Its intensity varies with time from person to person. Career, family issues, health concerns, and financial obligations are parts of everyday life that amplified your stress level.
Globally the number of stressed people out of 143 countries is 35%. 77% of people claim stress affects their physical health negatively. Surveys say that anxiety is increased by more than 25% in the general population.
However, understanding the causes of anxiety will not cure us of feeling overstressed. If you are someone who is looking for strategies or coping skills for anxiety, you are at the right place.
In this article, you will find a five-step approach to dealing with it.
In 1927, Paramhansa Yogananda addressed anxiety and stress in an article, ‘Nervousness: The World’s Disease’. He identified the main causes of nervousness as 1) Long-continued overactivity, 2) Excessive stimulation of the senses from physical overindulgence, and 3) mental overstimulation from chronic fear, anger, sorrow, hatred, jealousy, discontent, or similar harmful emotions. The most damaging emotions are anger and fear. The nerves are the wires of the bodily factory. Anger burns the nerves in the brain and causes poisons to be secreted throughout the body. Fear burns the nerves that are connected to the heart and can cause heart trouble.
1. Prioritize your work:
Make a list of demands in your life and separate them into two categories. The one category will be what you must do. The second one will be what you merely choose to do. Choose concisely what you take on and say ‘No’ to things that will unnecessarily amplify your stress. If you are forced to work in a way that makes you lose your peace then simply ignore that demand. Yes, sometimes you have to give extraordinary efforts during some crises. Don’t make it a habit. Respect your rhythm. It’s important to do your work with the feelings of your heart and the whispers of your soul.
Follow a priority list as per your needs. Create a ‘to-do’ list on weekly basis. Saying ‘no’ is another way to control your stressor.
2. Let go of your resistance:
The second major problem is the internal friction that comes from resisting what you need to do. Try to accept unavoidable duties willingly, even cheerfully. See the positive features of your responsibilities. Share your responsibilities with your close ones if possible. Sometimes saying ‘Sorry’ can break the ice in your relationship. Don’t allow bitterness and anger to fill your mind with toxins.
Lighten up yourself with positivity.
3. Practice Self-Care:
Always take care of yourself so that you can take care of others. Remember, you have a body, a mind, and a soul. Each of them needs attention and care.
For the body:
Eat healthy nutrient rich food
Get enough sleep
For the mind:
Spend time with your family and friends
Reading a book
Minimise social media use and keep a ‘Me-time’
Practicing a hobby
Deep breathing to relieve stress quickly
Laugh as much as possible
For the soul:
Yoga and meditate
Spend time in nature
Avoid things that make you upset or angry
Try to help a needy person
If you don’t take care of yourself, no body will take care of you.
4. Keep an eye on your finance:
Due to inflation living cost is rising. You know that layoffs are a trendy topic. With the arrival of artificial intelligence (AI), many jobs are threatened. In this scenario, personal finance management is tough but not impossible. Always save six months’ expenditure in an advance. Upskill yourself and network with others as much as possible. Try to cut down unnecessary expenses in the name of ‘Show-off’. Believe me, it will not give you any reward but rather will continue to financial burden. Spend the money on a healthy lifestyle for you and your family.
Take care of your financial health also.
5. Leave the problems for Time:
Accept the things that you can’t change. You are not responsible for everyone’s welfare. It is enough to take your own responsibility for your own well-being and to try to help those who are in your circle of influence. Sometimes it’s better to leave the problems for a time. If you believe in God, solve your problems as much as possible and leave the rest to God.
‘Time isn’t the main thing. It’s the only thing’. — Miles Davis
Herbs to reduce stress and anxiety:
The most common herbs used to reduce stress and anxiety are — Lavender, Valerian Root, Kava, Passionflower, Turmeric, Chamomile, Ashwagandha, and Lemon Balm.
Before taking any herbs talk with your doctor. Remember, herbal treatments aren’t a substitute for mental health professionals, along with medications.
Conclusion:
Stress is an unavoidable part of life. Excessive stimulation burns the nerves, halting the supply of energy and disturbing the functioning of the nervous system. It is like putting a 2,000-volt current through a 50-watt lamp to burn the lamp. In today’s media-driven world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed for unnecessary reasons. If you’re experiencing the symptoms of anxiety and stress for a long time, consult with a therapist or a trusted healthcare professional to discuss ways to improve your mental health.
Well, do you know any other steps to deal with stress and anxiety? Please write it in the ‘Comment’ section. I’ll be glad to know it.
Do What You Can, With What You’ve Got, Where You Are.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
P.S. — Thank you for reading this. Please share it with your friends and family if you found it helpful. Click on the clap button if you like it.
Let’s connect on LinkedIn.
