There is a myriad of things in our lives that can cause stress. Things like work deadlines, financial difficulties, traffic congestion, and relationship problems can cause stress.
Stress is a natural reaction, as the body tries to cope with any negative pressures placed on it. Stress can become a concern when these burdens become unbearable and, in some situations, can be a trigger for anxiety and depression disorders.
Luckily, for most people, stress is very controllable, and a little stress can actually help you to perform better. We sometimes see this in students studying for their exams, or in athletes preparing for a big competition.
There are several ways to deal with stress, and basic strategies that are often used can really help. If you feel stressed, and would like to find out more, read on for some tips on how to make it manageable.
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine.
While it can be tempting to reach for that cigarette, that glass of wine or a big cup of coffee when things are getting on top of you, it can actually make you feel even worse. They all contain stimulants so they can make you feel more on edge, and alcohol is a depressant, which can just give you a whole new problem to deal with.
Swap out the coffee for a herbal tea or water and make sure you keep yourself hydrated as this will help your body to cope better with stress.
You might want to do your research into dry herb vaporizers as an alternative to alcohol, cigarettes and other narcotics that you may be tempted to consume.
Eat well
Eating a nutritious, balanced diet will do your stress levels a world of good. Aim to eat a minimum of five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, and where possible, avoid or reduce your intake of refined sugars.
These can be found in many processed foods, even in savory foods such as bread, and can cause a massive energy crash, which may lead to you feeling lethargic and irritable.
Exercise regularly
When faced with a stressful situation, the levels of adrenaline and cortisol (the stress hormones) in your body increase.
We call these the ‘fight or flight’ hormones that make us want to face the issue head-on or run away from it. However, neither of these is the ideal way of dealing with a problem.
When you indulge in physical activity, your body will begin to metabolize these hormones in a healthy way and help you to restore your body to a more relaxed and calm state.
Regular exercise will also help to improve the quality of your sleep, which leaves you better equipped to make rational decisions and deal with problems as they arise.
Make sure you get enough sleep.
Tiredness can make us irrational and much more likely to get worked up over things that don’t matter.
By making sure you get around eight hours of quality sleep every night, you will be in a much better place to deal with any problems.
What are your top tips for dealing with stress?
