You can’t just wish stress away, but whether it’s stress on the job or at home it’s important to try and manage it. Chronic stress can increase your risks of developing life-threatening conditions, like depression, obesity, insomnia and even autoimmune diseases.
But it’s easier said than done. We can’t just stop stress from invading our lives – it’s everywhere! What we can do, however, is improve how we deal with it.
The American Heart Association states that as many as 20% (61 million) of Americans are concerned about how stress will impact their health. Ironically, 36% of these 61 million confess to handling stress by overeating or drinking! College students are also feeling the pressure. A study involving 2200 college students revealed that 85% of college students feel stressed daily, though 70% of them did not consider speaking to a counselor. Sleeping medication prescriptions have tripled among college students from 1998 to 2006. Even stress in young children is on the rise!
So what can you do? Here are a few tips to make each day a little better and a little less stressed:
– Take charge! Take charge of your emotions, your schedule, your environment and the way you deal with problems. Remind yourself every day that it’s your life and no one else’s – you have to do what’s best for you.
– Learn that it’s okay to say “no.” Know your limits and stick to them. You can only stretch yourself so thin, and taking on more than you can handle is a recipe for stress.
– Manage your time! Nothing is more stressful than running late for a big meeting, interview, or when you’re picking the kids up from school. If you can learn to manage your time, you’ll be a lot less stressed out. No one gets stressed when they’re early.
– Focus on the positive. It sounds obvious, and easier said than done, but sometimes you just need to take a moment to stop and reflect on the good things in life, the things you have to appreciate. And try to put a positive twist on stressful situations; experts call it “positive reframing.” When things hit the fan, look for the upside. Blame and regret won’t fix anything.
– Learn to accept what has happened, and move on. Acknowledge the problem, but look at is as a learning experience, and tell yourself that change presents opportunity – an opportunity you should seize! Who knows what positive outcomes may come your way. When you start to see the glass as half full, you’ll be 30% less likely to develop heart disease!
– Do doing something you love; Whether it’s exercise, meditation, reading, cooking, etc., partaking in your favorite hobbies is one of the best ways to lower your stress levels.
– Laugh. Maybe not every situations is a laughing matter, but when you inject a little humor into your life you’ll decrease stress hormones and boost your immune system. Watch your favorite funny film, hang out with fun pals, or just read some auto-correct fails! They never get old!
– And finally, just breathe! Take a moment to stop what you’re doing, tune out everything, and just focus on your breathing. Remember, life is short, and you do have a lot to be thankful for and appreciative of. Life is constantly changing and bringing about new challenges and adventures. Stop stressing and start living!
