5 Tips For effective Stress management

Stress is a normal aspect of life, it is part of being human. It can be helpful and motivating when trying to get things done; like the stress, you feel when your final exams are around the corner, when your promotional exams are close by, or just before your wedding.

Stress is also present during events that are not so great and pleasant like losing a loved one, illnesses, divorce, or moving into a new home. Stress that comes with events like this is also natural and somehow makes us stronger than we were.

What happens when we hold on to it for too long, when you lose yourself because you’ve lost a loved one, or you find it difficult to get over that broken relationship or divorce, then it is far from normal.

Stress is only good when it can be managed and checked but on occasions like those stated in the previous paragraph, you are keeping harmful stress.

Our stress can be caused by events around us or situations we are going through. This type of stress is called external stress. Our thoughts and worries can also cause us stress and this type of stress is called internal stress.

5 Tips For Effective Stress Management

Since stress is inevitable, surely Stress Management is paramount. Here are some of the ways you can manage your stress.

1. Involve Your Body.

Stress doesn’t only affect mental health, it affects your body too, so when trying to manage stress, make sure to involve your body. Try exercising. You don’t have to go outside or to a gym to exercise, a walk down the road and few stretches will do. Don’t forget to maintain a healthy diet as it is possible for one to develop unhealthy eating habits while dealing with stress.

2. Practice Relaxation Techniques.

You could try meditating, yoga, or just practice deep breathing. It helps take the worries off your mind. Listen to music, helpful podcasts, or just slow, calm, soothing sounds.

3. Write It Out.

Make a list of things that are stressing you out and analyze them. Make a table of two columns, name a column, things I can avoid, and the other, things I cannot avoid and put them in the correct columns. Just like this.

Start avoiding the things on the column titled things I can avoid and decide to accept the things on the column titled things I can’t avoid. This makes it a lot easier to manage stress as you can identify your stressors.

4. Talk It Out.

This helps in managing all forms of stress, whether it is internal or external stress. Connect with people, especially people you are comfortable talking to, and let it all out. They might not give you a solution to your cause of stress but you’ll feel a lot better after talking to them. And in most cases, you get your solutions.

5. Practice Positive Self-Talk.

This is one of the most effective tips, especially in dealing with internal stress. You need you to get well. Positive Self-Talk involves saying positive things about yourself, thoughts, situations around you. It is replacing negative thoughts with positive ones.

Stress isn’t something that should be overlooked especially when it becomes harmful as it has a major impact on your well-being, from having short-term to long-term effects. Stress is only good when it is at manageable levels but keep it in check so it doesn’t become harmful.

Ps: Join me on Instagram and you might just get yourself a free template for effective stress management.