Stress is something we can all relate to because
at a certain point in time we have all had to deal with some amount of it. It
is usually a transient overwhelming feeling of incapability in busy life
periods but can easily become a chronic condition if left unresolved. It is so
prevalent in our lives and so it becomes important for us to develop ways of
dealing with it. Not dealing with stress properly whether it be by
avoidance, drinking or smoking will eventually manifest as illnesses. It can
increase the chance of hypertension, gastrointestinal issues and can also
worsen conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, for those with
children, chronic stress can put your children at risk of developing Asthma.
Excessive stress can even cause premature death. This article will suggest some
healthy and straightforward coping mechanisms.
One method of coping with stress is known as the problem-focused
coping approach or in other words is to actively alter the
stressful situation. A change in how the situation is handled for example, by
asking for additional help or completely re-strategizing a project, can be the
distinguishing factor between a grueling process and a more simplistic one. If
you realize the current methods are not working and creating a lot of strain,
it is important to take a step back and evaluate how another approach can
reduce this. If you are stressed by how many activities and commitments you
have going on, it might be worth considering reducing your role in the less
important ones. Ultimately, a stressed version of yourself will not be the best
version of yourself so it is important to realise when you need to remove
yourself from certain situations for the greater good. Although this method is
not applicable to all situations and frankly a bit idealistic, it is a good
place from which controlling stress can begin.
Another way of dealing with stress to ‘find a way
to quiet the mind, body and soul’ (Ostdick, 2018). This falls under the emotion-focused
coping method. Inner peace radiates externally, therefore if
you develop methods of calming your mind this can reduce stress levels
drastically. There are several ways of calming the mind and it can range
anywhere from taking a couple of deep breaths to meditating or praying.
Listening to music also plays a part in this. Another source claims “listening
to music can have a tremendously relaxing effect on our minds and our bodies,
especially slow quiet classical music” (Collingwood, 2018). Listening to some
calming music right before a huge presentation or interview can relax your mind
and this will only yield success.
Exercise has also been proven to be a huge
reliever of stress. According to Mayoclinic, exercise increases your overall health and sense
of well-being. They also report that it leads to an increase in endorphins
(which make you feel good) and elevates your mood. It also has benefits in
improving sleep, which tends to be a problem when one is stressed.
Incorporating some exercise into your day whether it’s walking around your
neighbourhood for thirty minutes or engaging in activities like yoga or tennis,
can significantly reduce stress levels. Plus, as we are all aware ,exercising
comes with a host of many other benefits!
Although the coping
mechanisms above are very helpful, in more emotionally stressful times such as
death of a loved one or huge financial losses, they become a bit difficult to
adopt. It would be difficult to motivate yourself to go for a run when you’ve
just lost your job or to calm your mind down when your friend has been
diagnosed with cancer. In these situations, it is the emotional support
available to you that will help. It is important to have a good support system
of family and friends who will be there in difficult times to take your mind
off the situation or just to offer a listening ear. Sometimes just expressing
what is weighing on your mind is enough to give some relief. Additionally,
regular socializing with friends like going out for a drink or a meal can also
be impactful in relieving day to day stressors.
Oddly Satisfying Stress Relief Video (Oddly Satisfying -YouTube)
Finally another
valuable tool for stress management is professional therapy. People often think
that therapy is a ‘last resort’ (Collingwood, 2018) but the truth is that it is
accessible to anyone who is open to it. It is important because it helps
individuals understand where the issues are coming from and equips them better
to deal with the stress. (Collingwood, 2018). It also equips individuals to
formulate ways to prepare for future stressful situations. All in all,
professional help is very advantageous and should not be stigmatized.
In conclusion, we are
all prone to stress and if you have not experienced it yet you surely will.
Therefore, it is imperative to figure which coping mechanism best works for
you. The earlier you figure out your strategy of dealing with stress, the
better it would be for your general health in the long run as stress can contribute
to conditions like heart disease, diabetes and obesity. If you also feel like
nothing is working in terms of controlling your stress and it is too
overwhelming for you to bear, you should consider talking to your doctor about
it for further investigation.
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| Author: Regique Laryea |
REFERENCES
Bourassa, Taylor. “Therapy
and Stress.” Psych Central, 8 Oct. 2018, psychcentral.com/lib/therapy-and-stress/.
Collingwood, Jane. “The
Power of Music To Reduce Stress.” Psych
Central, 8 Oct. 2018, psychcentral.com/lib/the-power-of-music-to-reduce-stress/.
“Exercise and Stress:
Get Moving to Manage Stress.” Mayo
Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and
Research, 8 Mar. 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/exercise-and-stress/art-20044469.
“How Stress Affects
Your Body and Behavior.” Mayo
Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and
Research, 4 Apr. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-symptoms/art-20050987.
Kandola, Aaron. “Chronic
Stress: Symptoms, Health Effects, and How to Manage It.” Medical News Today,
MediLexicon International, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323324.php.
Ostdick, John H. “11
Strategies for Managing Stress.” SUCCESS, 16 Nov. 2018, www.success.com/11-strategies-for-managing-stress/.
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