Life for almost everyone is a series of stressful events, hopefully interspersed with periods of abatement and recovery.
However, many people are operating their day to day lives under a continuous current of tension that seems to never leave them.
Cumulative stress can stem from conditions such as relationship issues, financial woes or job related problems. This can be compounded by self-image and self-worth issues.
Whether your stress is chronic or acute, the good news is that there are proven healthy ways to cope with the symptoms.
Also, in the case of chronic stress, methods exist to help in reducing the body’s stress reactions to events and circumstances.
Express Your Stress
Precisely defining and expressing your anxieties and feelings can immediately help you begin to release the problem. Confiding in a good friend or close family member is always an option. Maybe you would prefer to see a counselling professional in order to receive a completely unbiased and non-judgemental view.
Check with your benefit package through your employer as some plans cover a certain amount of counselling visits per year.
If talking about what is bothering you isn’t your style, what about writing it down? Many people find writing a poem or a song to be extremely cathartic. Perhaps you are having a personal issue with someone.
Another method is to write them a letter expressing your feelings. Get everything down and don’t worry about grammar or hurting their feelings.
The exercise is to simply vent as though they will read the letter but you actually never give it to them. You can write out everything you need to say and then burn it afterwards.
Of course, depending on the scenario, you may want to deliver the letter. That will depend on your situation.
Keeping a journal on a daily or weekly basis is very beneficial for many people. This method also gives you the opportunity to reflect upon other entries and see how you dealt with similar issues in the past. It is a good way to keep track of what problem solving methods seemed most effective.
Expressing your emotions is a great way to relieve your stressful burden and feel better. There is strong proof that documenting your gratitude, even for the smallest things, is very beneficial for improving personal outlook over time.
Taming Your Tension
Finding a positive way to release the tension from your system will help you let go of stress before it has a chance to chronically impact your cells, tissues and muscles. Spending time with people who make you laugh and feel great is always a good option.
Spending less time with negative and irritating people is just as wise. When was the last time you read a joke book? Watching funny movies can be a temporary pick-me-up and sometimes, that is all you need to clear your head and be able to look at your stressful situation with a fresh pair of eyes.
Find a New Hobby
Engaging in a new hobby can be a great way to relieve stress. By taking some time for yourself and learning a new skill, your focus can change and you may additionally meet a new diverse group of people. Spending time volunteering for something you feel passionate about, spending time with animals and getting back to nature are all great ways to alleviate stress.
