When you’re overwhelmed with stress, it can be hard to know what to do next. Luckily, there are many ways to take back control before a few days of stress turn into a lifetime of chronic stress. Here are a few techniques that work well for managing your symptoms.
Nip It in the Bud
It’s important to deal with small, daily stressors so they don’t turn into big, persistent issues. When you feel yourself becoming more and more anxious (or stressed), find ways to manage it as it comes instead of letting things snowball. Easy techniques include: counting to ten, practicing controlled breathing, making a list of tasks, or taking up meditation or visualization.
Exercise
Not only does getting active help relieve some of the tension that comes with stress, it actually releases mood-boosting chemicals in the brain that can make you feel even better. Just taking a walk around the block may help—although there countless other options. Yoga, in particular, is great for stress management, as it combines body movement with mindful breathing and meditation. If that’s not right for you take up kickboxing, hiking, or go dancing.
The goal is just to get your body moving. If you’re more prone to stress, you might consider working out regularly—in addition to all the other benefits, it will give you some time to yourself. Plus, a healthier body will handle the physical effects of stress easier.
Take Up a Hobby
Another good method for stress relief is getting your mind off of the things that are causing it. This doesn’t mean pretending the stress isn’t there, it just means not dwelling on it. Doing things that make you happy or bring you pleasure can counteract the effects of being stressed out. It might be something as simple as reading a book or knitting a scarf or maybe it means playing ball with your friends or taking a cooking class. Just taking the focus off the stress can make it easier to handle when you are ready to look at it.
Reach Out For Help
It’s important not to close yourself off while trying to manage your stress. Although you might be feeling irritable and grumpy, isolation isn’t healthy. Research actually suggests that human contact can be soothing, making you feel safe and understood when you’re going through a hard time.
But sometimes, friends and family aren’t enough help—and that’s okay. If you’re really having trouble, or have been trying to manage your stress for a long time with little success, it might be time to reach out to a counselor for professional help. A psychologist can help you come up with stress-relieving techniques more specific to your situation and personality. And just knowing that there’s someone genuinely listening to your problems can go a long way.
