Stress has become a modern day reality, becoming so commonplace that it has become a way of life. While in small doses, stress can act as a motivational factor and help you perform better. But it is also important to note that stress is not just a problematic situation; it is also highly hazardous towards health.
When you are frequently operating in crisis mode, eventually, your mind and body have to pay the price. The increase in stress levels is directly proportional to increasing number of physical ailments, from migraines to belly fat. In several cases, even a heart attack.
Here are few simple yet effective ways to deal with the 'S' word.
1. Manage Time Effectively
When we are stressed we tend to harbor a lot of negativity around us, which does a lot more harm that we realise. So instead of wasting time on performing unimportant tasks, prioritize your work in such a fashion that you finish your important jobs first. No matter how unpleasant a task appears to be, prioritize your work in an order and finish them on time.
2. Breathe
We read reports about the importance of meditation and breathing exercises almost every day in the newspapers, but finding time to do it becomes a Herculean task. If you want to lower your stress levels, it is a must that you find time to breathe. While you are brushing your teeth, or are stuck in traffic breathe in for five seconds, hold for five seconds, then release for five seconds.
3. Indulge In Small Treats Whenever Possible
Indulging in small treats is a great way of relaxing your minds. Be it in the form of taking short breaks between work or snacking on some dark chocolates or reading a humorous article or even stretching, they all work wonders in beating the stress.
4. Create A Happy Mix Playlist For Yourself
It is not unknown that music touches the strings in our soul. Pick up tunes that clear your mind and put you in a good mood. Create a playlist and put together whatever music that puts you in high spirits. You could play it while you're taking your morning shower, making your breakfast, or commuting. This will immediately put you in a more blissful frame of mind, which sets off a chain reaction of positivity, in turn leading to one step closer to combating stress.
5. Ever Heard Of Single Tasking?
It is very important to know your limitations and not take on more than you can handle, which causes an enormous amount of stress. We then end up doing more than we should. While the idea of multitasking can make you feel like a hero, it is important to learn to delegate effectively and be assertive about what and how much work you are capable of doing at a particular point of time.
6. Exercise
It is well known that exercising helps in enhancing energy and productivity. It also happens to be one of the quickest, most efficient ways to lower stress. Have you ever heard of a runner's high? The "high" comes from the endorphins that the brains release after we get our heart pumping. Walking, swimming, biking, weight lifting, yoga or pilates are some of the other low impact exercises that are just as useful when it comes to improving your mood.
7. Be Positive
This is easier said than done. But when you feel palpable tension throughout your body, calm those nerves by closing your eyes and having good, calm and positive thoughts. Picturing the most peaceful place you can imagine in your mind or remembering simple things in life that made you happy can help a great deal. This is not going to be easy but it is definitely not impossible to imbibe positive attitude towards life. If there is something bothering you, you could try to see it from a different perspective by talking over your problem with somebody before it gets out of hand. Talking to a friend or a colleague or a family member can also help you out of the stressful situation.
8. Sleep Well
If you do not sleep well, your brain cannot function properly and even the smallest problems can appear to be major irritants which will only add to your stress. Studies have shown that humans require at least 8 hours of sleep. This works in a cycle, as not getting sufficient sleep can lead to stress and then too much stress can further lead to sleeplessness.
9. Watch What You Eat
Adopting healthy eating habits can make a lot of difference. Eating stress-reducing foods is very important. Eating foods that are rich in Vitamin B like asparagus, almonds, almond butter, spinach, broccoli, lentils, red peppers, snapper, salmon, halibut, scallops, and shrimps can be very helpful. Leafy greens, seaweeds, adaptagenic herbs, like Maca or Ashwaganda, Omega 3 fatty acids as well as zinc are also very important for the body in helping to cope with stress.
10. Feel Free To Disconnect From The World Once In A While
It's always been said that, ''that humans fear not knowing'' but in modern times when communication and dissemination of information has become such a major part of human lives that it becomes important to go on a switched off mode once in a while to de-stress the mind. So, go ahead, feel free to turn off your cell phones, shut down that computer, unplug that TV and drive with nothing but the organic sounds of your city playing in the background. Welcome yourself to the quiet sounds and lucid thoughts of your mind.
Light up a joint and relax................
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