No matter what walk of life we come from, each and every one of us will end up going through some stressful times at some point in our lives. Stressors can stem from work, relationships, finances and so many more things.
No matter what stressor you’re personally dealing with or what walk of life you come from, chances are when you’re stressed you are dealing with similar emotions to someone who may be stressed from an entirely different situation.
8 common stress symptoms include:
- Lack of energy
- Recurring headaches
- Upset stomach
- Aches/pains
- Chest pain
- Rapid heartbeat
- Insomnia
- Frequent colds
So, when you find yourself dealing with these symptoms and life feels stacked against you, what can you do? How can you overcome stress and get back on track?
Stress relief can come in many different forms and can vary from person to person and situation to situation. Depending how deeply stressed you are at a given time or depending on the source of stress, different tactics come into play. However, there are a few tactics that tend to help in just about any situation.
8 common stress relief tactics:
- Exercise - Getting outside or just moving around can lower your stress levels.
- Drink less caffeine- Coffee can sometimes hurt more than it helps in stressful situations, as too much caffeine can increase anxiousness.
- Journal- Taking time to sit and relax and write down what’s in your head helps clear your mind and keep you focused.
- Reach out to loved ones- In stressful times, it’s nice to have someone around you can vent to. Talking it out can reduce stress tremendously.
- Yoga- Taking a class or taking a few minutes at home to become connected to your body will help you calm down and feel energized.
- Make a relaxing playlist - Taking a break and listening to music and crafting the perfect playlist will leave you feeling both relaxed and accomplished.
- Practice Deep Breathing- Focusing on your breathing and taking deep breaths forces you to stop and calm down by further connecting with your body.
- Bond with your pet- In times of stress, turn to your furry friend. Pets have shown to help reduce stress and of course, they can help with emotional support!
When you find yourself in times of stress, take a moment to analyze the situation and your personal feelings and figure out which stress-fighting tactic fits your needs.
Alternatively, you can always try to incorporate that energy that comes from stress into something positive. Stress often kicks in the fight-or-flight response that can really help your memory and your energy levels.
No matter which path you choose, knowing the stress is a perfectly normal response to many of life’s events is half the battle. Don’t beat yourself up when you fall victim to stress. Just take it as an opportunity to learn from it and try new techniques to help get you through it.
