Free Essay On Ways To Deal With Stress

Stress is very much part of life and it seems that there is nothing much I can do about it. There are bills to settle, mounting assignments to finish, part-time jobs to complete, family responsibilities to attend to, and friends to hang out with. Although it seems like there is just simply too much things to do comes the realization that I am more in control of my life. Understanding this fact is the first step to stress management. Dealing with stress is all about taking control of my emotions, my thoughts, and the way I handle my problems.
/> Identifying the main sources of stress in life is the first step in living a hassle-free life. I started to plan my actions in such a way I never did in the past. I recognized the various stress-inducing behaviors and feelings that I had – I blamed the stress on people I met on the streets, on too many assignments that needed to be completed, on errands I had to do every day, and on practically every other activity I needed to complete. But when I started taking responsibility of my thoughts and actions, I decided that instead of procrastinating and playing the victim game, I will attend to my tasks and responsibilities one at a time. I will take control of them to keep my stress level in control.
First of all, I changed my sleeping habits by ensuring I get enough sleep daily. Giving the body the sleep and rest time it needs helped my body recuperate and restore lost energy. Since most adults need about 7-8 hours of daily sleep, maintaining regular hours of sleep tells my body when it is time to be tired. This helps me sleep better and minimize instances of sleep deprivation.
Eating properly also helps reduce stress. The body needs the necessary fuel to help the body recuperate, thus, feeding the body with the right kinds of food and in the right amount have an intense effect on how the body will manage possible stress factors. For instance, eating healthy breakfast and snacks during the day keeps the body energized, thus, it is highly advisable to stock up on complex carbohydrates such as whole-grain pasta and breads, foods rich in Vitamins A and C, foods high in magnesium such as soybeans, spinach, and salmon. Aside from these foods, it is also important to drink lots of water to keep the body hydrated. Otherwise, an under hydrated body could lead to high body temperature and headaches that leads to bodily stress.
Exercise has been confirmed to help improve individuals’ threshold for stress. During exercise, the body increases endorphin levels that are responsible for feelings of happiness. Doing targeted exercises such as overhead presses and lateral raises for the shoulders as well as squats and one-leg presses for the thighs, for instance, helps in freeing the body of stress hormones. Walking is another activity that helps in stress-reduction. In fact, even a 30-minute brisk walking is good for the body and the heart. Studies also reveal that those who engage in brisk walking for at least 150 minutes a week increases their life expectancy by at least 4.5 years. Apart from walking, swimming and biking are also known to reduce stress and do not create much stress on the joints. Thus, both are safe activities for people with joint problems.
Daily relaxation activities are also important to aid in stress relief. It is not merely resting the body and the mind by sitting in a chair and watching television. Relaxation involves calming the tension in the mind and body. Because it takes a lot of practice, some people join professional classes to practice relaxation techniques. For instance, yoga, meditation, and tai chi are good relaxation activities that help calm the body and mind. What I do is sit comfortably on the floor as I place my hands on my lap. Slowly, I close my eyes and picture myself in a peaceful place such as a peaceful beach, floating in clouds, or walking on green, lush meadow. I then slowly inhale and exhale as I focus on slow and deep breathing. I do this for about 10 minutes before and after my day begin or end.
Practicing mind control also helps. The worst things about stress are trying to control what cannot be controlled and allowing the feelings of helplessness overcome the individual. Stress can be paralyzing such that instead of helping oneself move forward, the tendency is to pull back and wallow in self-pity. This further adds to feelings of helplessness. Thus, instead of trying to manage everything in life, what I do is to take stock of things I can control and only work on those things.
Pursuing a hobby or anything one enjoys doing helps, too. Thus, when stress makes me feel bad, I do things that make me feel good such as read my favorite books or magazines. Sometimes, I begin a new art project that allows me to express my creative side. I listen to soothing music as well and refrain from listening to hard rock music to calm my nerves. When family or friends are available, I hang out with them for some snacks or coffee and enjoy their company. We also play card games or board games to while away time. Spending time with family friends made me realize that I do not have to do a lot to find pleasure. By making time to do something I enjoy, even small activities give me a relaxing feel.
Finally, developing a sense of humor helps me see stress in a different light. Instead of taking stress too seriously, I try to see humor in life’s situations. I have learned to laugh a lot and at myself without putting myself down or lashing out on my self-esteem. From experience, I found out that contagious laughter provides long-term health benefits that can really help one feel better. As an example, laughter provides health benefits by lowering blood pressure, increasing blood flow to the heart and oxygen to the blood, defends against respiratory problems such as colds and coughs, and aids in improving mental alertness, creativity, and memory.
Stress will always be there caused by different people, events, and even by oneself. It is an everyday part of life, but giving it power to control oneself does not help eliminate negative feelings, alleviate mental stress, or make things better. Instead, acceptance of things that cannot be changed and a firm resolve to overcome stressful situations help keep stress at bay. The trick to overcoming stress lies in finding the motivation and inspiration that will keep an individual going after one’s goals and pursuing healthy relationships with others.