How to manage stress effectively is a part of our everyday lives.
Whenever someone feels even the slightest bit of pressure to perform or a need to react, whether it is good or bad, it’s called stress.
While it’s very true that stress in and of itself is not bad, if it becomes chronic or very intense, stress can lead to a host of serious physical conditions.
Because of the problems associated with long-term stress, many people are advised to look at ways to go about managing stress.
Knowing how to manage stress is something that we can all do. The best methods for doing so depend a lot on the individual and the kind of stress they face.
Tackling some forms of stress directly is very doable, but in other cases, it is nearly impossible. Managing stress almost always, however, starts with a conscious decision to do so.
There are a few different ways that will help you manage stress. Sometimes a combination of them works very well for an overall improvement.
Managing Stress Through Change
If your stress is caused by a dysfunctional relationship, a bad job or other situation that can be changed, making an effort to do so can help with managing stress. While it is not always easy to manage stress in this way, if extreme dissatisfaction is plaguing your life, it can be very beneficial.
While major changes to help with managing stress are not always possible, there are smaller steps people can take to help. Some of them include:
- Lightening a schedule. If everyday involves one activity after another, try to build in some relaxation time.
- Removing clutter. Clutter in a home or office can add stress to life. The mere fact of seeing it on a daily basis and knowing the “work” waits, can be a stressor that adds up over time.
- Adding a hobby to your life. A fun, relaxing hobby can sometimes work off a bit of stress. While this won’t necessarily remove stress from life, it can counterbalance some of its negative effects.
Managing Stress Through Relaxation
Often, one the biggest problems related to stress come from an inability to relieve oneself of tension, there are some things that can be done to help. Some people find these ideas ease tension and enable them to better manage stress as it crops up:
- Getting more sleep. Believe it or not, this really helps. If a good seven to eight hours isn’t in your routine, try to make it so.
- Relaxation techniques. Learning how to relax will not remove stress per say, but it can help lessen its impacts. It can also help focus the mind on what is important and what is not.
Therapy Can Help
Sometimes the best route to take involves professional therapy. This is a solid way to work through stressors and learn techniques to help deal with them.
Managing stress is not easy. It begins with a conscious decision to take a stand, make changes and learn to relax and cope. You CAN do it!
I’m making time tonight to get some admin stuff done and declutter my office. It has been a busy 10 days so I need to feel peace again in my office.
Glad to hear it Catherine! Feeling at peace in your work space has such a profound affect on our professional and personal lives doesn’t it?
Great Post! Thanks!!
Thanks for stopping by Elizabeth ;).
Excellent post. I’ve been stressed most of my life and after having 2 small strokes last year, I’ve learned how to deal with it! Your tips are wonderful! Thanks for sharing them!
Thanks Alexandra! I’m so glad that you’ve learned to deal with stress in your life especially after those “taps on your shoulder”.
Moira, These are really good points to help us all with stress in our lives. Thanks!
Thanks Meryl – I appreciate your stopping by!
Very good! It is true that some things need to change, and some things just need to be relaxed into because they cannot be changed in the short term.
Thanks Lorrie – it’s so true… awareness is the key thing isn’t it!
Ahh…Yes the old clutter stress! I was just talking about that yesterday and how my home and office are in such disarray. I will be grateful to get back to normal!
Yes – getting on top of clutter stress is key – you’ll get back on track in no time at all ;).
Great suggestions on how to relieve stress in our lives. I get stressed when I over schedule and try and take on too much. But I can feel it and know it’s time to make a change. Thanks!
Thanks Cathy! It’s great that you can feel when it’s time to make a change.
Love this post, Moira. Relaxation techniques really seem to help me unwind. Just deep breathing can really take the edge off a stressful moment. Thanks so much!
Yes – Lisa… I love focusing on my breathing – it’s my go to solution whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed!
Wonderful, Moira~ Sometimes it is just too much to cope with stress.
Thanks Sally!
So true – it begins with making the conscious decision to take necessary steps to do it. Great post and suggestions – thank you Moira!
Thanks Lisa!
Stress used to be huge in my life when I was a new Mom. It’s not something that is really present now in my life since I’ve learned to release it all to God. He has bigger shoulders than I have, besides He also has more control… 🙂 Great post!
Thanks Norma – it’s true that when we can allow in guidance from a Higher Power – things get much easier ;).
One of the benefits of working fro home is thta I can take complete breaks…15-20 minutes out in the garden…in the yard with Lily…even doing the laundry and hanging it to dry….makes the day far more enjoyable and I do believe productive!
Yes – adding a wee bit of variety into your schedule can often lighten things up and increase productivity! Thanks Carl.
Yes, I’ve had the experience of feeling more relaxed when I’ve adjusted my schedule. I also find that stress comes up in my life whenever I’m forcing myself to do something I’m not actually interested in, and moving in the direction of what I actually want can be a great source of stress relief.
It’s so true that stress can often be an indicator that we are trying to do something or go in a direction that is not right for us! Thanks for your comments.