What are 4 ways to relieve stress?
If you're stressed, whether by your job or something more personal, the first step to feeling better is to identify the cause. Show
The most unhelpful thing you can do is turn to something unhealthy to help you cope, such as smoking or drinking. Not taking control of the situation and doing nothing can make your problems worse. Some of the keys to good stress management are building emotional strength, being in control of your situation, having a good social network, and adopting a positive outlook. What you can do to address stressTry these 10 stress-busting suggestions: Be activeExercise won't make your stress disappear, but it can reduce some of the emotional intensity that you're feeling, clearing your thoughts and letting you deal with your problems more calmly. For more advice, read about exercise for depression. Get started with exercise Take controlIf you think you cannot do anything about your problem, your stress can get worse. That feeling of loss of control is one of the main causes of stress and lack of wellbeing. The act of taking control is in itself empowering, and it's a crucial part of finding a solution that satisfies you and not someone else. Get tips on how to manage your time Connect with peopleA good support network of colleagues, friends and family can ease your work troubles and help you see things in a different way. The activities we do with friends can help us relax and relieve stress. Talking things through with a friend may also help you find solutions to your problems. Read about 5 steps to mental wellbeing, including the benefits of connecting with other people. Have some "me time"Many of us work long hours, meaning we often don't spend enough time doing things we really enjoy. It's important to take some time for socialising, relaxation or exercise. You could try setting aside a couple of nights a week for some quality "me time" away from work. Challenge yourselfSetting yourself goals and challenges, whether at work or outside, such as learning a new language or a new sport, can help build confidence. This may help you deal with stress. It can also make you want to do things and be active. Avoid unhealthy habitsDon't rely on alcohol, smoking and caffeine as your ways of coping. They might provide temporary relief, but in the long term, these crutches won't solve your problems. They'll just create new ones. It's best to tackle the cause of your stress. Help other peopleEvidence shows that people who help others, through activities such as volunteering or community work, often become more resilient. If you don't have time to volunteer, try to do someone a favour every day. It can be something as small as helping someone cross the road or going on a coffee run for colleagues. Find out more about giving for mental wellbeing Work smarter, not harderWorking smarter means prioritising your work, concentrating on the tasks that'll make a real difference. Leave the least important tasks to last. Accept that you will not have time for everything. Get tips on how to manage your time better Try to be positiveLook for the positives in life, and things for which you're grateful. Try writing down 3 things that went well, or for which you're grateful, at the end of every day. Audio: unhelpful thinkingIn this audio guide, a doctor helps you to replace negative thoughts with more positive thinking. Media last reviewed: 2 March 2021 Accept the things you can't changeChanging a difficult situation isn't always possible. Try to concentrate on the things you do have control over. For example, if your company is making redundancies, you could focus on the things that you can control, such as looking for a new job. Audio: sleep problemsIn this audio guide, a doctor explains what you can do to give yourself the best chance of a good night's sleep. Media last reviewed: 2 March 2021 There never seems to be enough hours in a day. And in those few hours, you're loaded with deadlines, responsibilities, errands and expectations. With stress weighing you down, daily tasks get harder and harder to handle — like a heavy backpack getting heavier as the day goes on. Fortunately, there are 4 steps to help reduce stress and cope with the inevitable stressors of everyday life:1. Avoid.Believe it or not, it is possible to escape some of the minor stressors that tend to trouble people:
2. Alter.Communicate clearly and let people know your expectations. It can make a world of difference:
3. Accept.Accepting the situation can ease much of the stress when avoiding and altering doesn't work:
4. Adapt.Changing your standards and expectations of stressful situations can help you cope with stress:
Stress is a part of everyday life. Practicing these four steps can help to provide balance for a healthier, happier lifestyle. Learn more about stress:
Alan Conway, M.D., is a Family Medicine physician in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. For the safety of our patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was either recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in a non-patient care area where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed. What are 12 ways to deal with stress?Physical activity is a natural stress buster.. Eat a healthy diet. A healthy diet can help relax muscles and reduce anxiety. ... . Reduce caffeine and sugar. ... . Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. ... . Get plenty of sleep. ... . Supplement with magnesium. ... . Identify professionals who can help.. What is the best way to deal with stress?Healthy Ways to Cope with Stress. Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including those on social media. ... . Take care of yourself. ... . Take care of your body. ... . Make time to unwind. ... . Talk to others. ... . Connect with your community- or faith-based organizations.. Avoid drugs and alcohol.. What are 5 ways to relieve your stress?5 tips to manage stress. Use guided meditation. Guided meditation is a great way to distract yourself from the stress of day-to-day life. ... . Practice deep breathing. ... . Maintain physical exercise and good nutrition. ... . Manage social media time. ... . Connect with others.. What are the 4 steps to help reduce stress?Fortunately, there are 4 steps to help reduce stress and cope with the inevitable stressors of everyday life:. Avoid. Believe it or not, it is possible to escape some of the minor stressors that tend to trouble people: ... . Alter. Communicate clearly and let people know your expectations. ... . Accept. ... . Adapt.. |