I think it is very fair to say that 2016 has been a very stressful year indeed. There has been a lot to take in on both a national and international scale in addition to any other personal or career related stressors.
So how do you cope when the world feels somewhat turbulent on top of your daily and seasonal duties? Hopefully by facing your stressors head on.
If we don’t, we typically become even more stressed and we find that it will start to have a negative impact on our overall health.
So how do you beat stress and improve your health? Here are some ways you can combat all the seasonal stress in your life.
Cut Down on Caffeine, Nicotine & Alcohol
Many people tend to turn to caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol whenever they start to feel stressed. That’s because each of these can fool you into thinking that they are relieving stress.
However, each substance is a stimulant so it can actually increase your awareness of your stress levels. All of these substances are also addictive.
For this reason, it is a good idea to stay away from them when you are very stressed. Otherwise, you may come to rely on them during stressful periods.
For some, this can lead to addiction. If you ever find that you are too reliant on nicotine or alcohol, you should consider signing up for a vetted rehabilitation program. You can find out more online at sites including Rehab.com
Stay in Bed. No Really
One of the best ways to try and beat stress is by getting a good night’s sleep on a regular basis.
While we are sleeping our bodies have the chance to refresh and our minds to rejuvenate.
Stress can interrupt our sleep patterns, which is counterproductive for us. Thankfully, there are several ways you can help yourself get a good night’s sleep.
For some, aromatherapy has been the answer in soothing the body and quieting the mind before bed. There are certain oils that can help to calm the body and mind, making it easier for you to drop off at night.
Lavender oil is one of the best for this purpose and one I use from my night creams, to the luxe candle I light before settling in for the night.
If you get into a good routine before bed, your mind and body will get into a good sleep habit. You can find out more about improving your sleep routine online at sites like Theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/jan/29/how-to-improve-your-sleep
Keep A Stress Diary
People who are trying to lose weight are often told to keep a food diary. This is so they can track their eating habits.
It’s a good idea to use this method if you feel you feel you tend to be quite stressed, consistently.
You should detail all of the triggers that caused your stress levels to spike throughout the day. Make sure you also write down where and when the trigger happened and who you were with.
You should also write a few sentences about how you felt. By tracking your triggers, you can figure out which are most prevalent and more importantly, how you can best avoid them.
Use Relaxation Techniques
There are a number of different relaxation techniques that you can use to help you get over your stressful emotions and feelings. For instance, think about taking a yoga class.
Not only will yoga help you maintain your physical health, but it will also help to calm your mind.
Yoga is composed of multiple meditation techniques from deep, intentional breathing to visualization.
If yoga doesn’t seem like your thing, how about mindfulness thought techniques?
There are now many apps you can download to help you get into mindful thinking. Mindfulness doesn’t completely remove stress from your life, but it teaches you how to deal with it.
This makes life easier, no matter how stressed you may be.
Talk To Someone
If you ever feel like life is getting too much for you, don’t be worried about talking to someone about your troubles. It could just be a friend or family member.
I know from experience that once you have had a chat with someone, you will feel like a lot of weight has been taken off your shoulders. If you still feel stressed after chatting to someone close to you, think about making an appointment with a therapist or counselor.
Speaking to a professional can be extremely beneficial as they are a completely unbiased party (in addition to their being a trained professional.)
They will be able to recommend methods which can help you to decrease your stress levels. If needed, they may also recommend some medication that you can take. This could be especially useful if your stress is causing insomnia.
What are some ways you manage stress to get through tough times?
