With the pressure to do well in school or to do well at work, it is inevitable that stress sometimes creeps up on us. While pressure may not be a bad thing, stress is very unpleasant, and can have detrimental effects on your overall well-being as well. Thus, below are some practical tips on how you can combat stress when it comes your way!
1. Eat Well
Well-balanced meals as well as eating right amounts help to ensure that your body feels good, allowing your mind to feel good as well. However, it is important to make sure that you do not overeat as well.
2. Set SMART Goals
Set goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-based. Planning and working smart helps you accomplish tasks more efficiently and effectively, and is a useful skill to have!
3. Take Breaks
Always ensure that you give your body and your mind time to to rest! Take out some time to spend time with friend or do something that you enjoy and relaxes you. With a refreshed state of mind, you will be able to be more productive and effective in your work as well.
4. Take an intentional pause when things get too overwhelming
Sometimes it can be hard to find the time to take a proper break, and the thought of doing so might cause us to feel even more anxious, especially when it feels like time is running out. In this case, it is important to pace yourself and manage your stress levels. However, things can sometimes get a bit too crazy without us realising it, and before we know it, we’re overwhelmed. When this happens, take a deliberate pause. Take a deep breath and count to ten before taking further action. This pause actually evokes a calming effect and can help you to rationalise your situation before proceeding with what you should or can do next.
5. Understand What Causes You To Be Stressed
There can be many underlying causes behind why people get stressed. For some, it may be self imposed expectations that they feel the need to meet, while for others it may be the fear of disappointing the people around them should they fail to accomplish certain tasks. Figure out what it is that stresses you out and what you can do to work around it!
At the end of the day, there are many contributing factors that can lead to the build up of stress and it is very easy to fall prey to it. However, there are many steps that we can take to take better care of our minds and bodies so as to thrive in the world today.
Most importantly, recognise if you need more help. If issues escalate and you feel like you are struggling to handle it by yourself, please seek professional help and talk to certified psychologists or counsellors.