We’ve all felt overwhelmed before, I’ll be the first one to admit that I have let stress get the best of me. There are moments when you feel like nothing is going right, like it’s too much to handle, like you’ll never make it. It’s not like the fear isn’t real…right? I mean some people truly don’t ever make it. But that person isn’t me, and it doesn’t have to be you, either.
Stress has a broad range of negative effects on our bodies, whether it’s physically, emotionally, psychologically, or affecting your relationships in unhealthy ways. We all perceive and deal with stress differently, so what may be stressful to you may not be stressful to me. I often have to remind myself to be patient and try to understand what others are going through, even if I don’t fully understand the whole situation. Most importantly though, be patient with yourself, especially when you don’t understand why you’re so stressed out. Seriously though, cut yourself some slack, take a hot bath, and breathe. This will help you to find the root of the problem and begin to learn how to deal with it, without completely losing your mind.
Stress is often referred to as the silent killer, in that it slowly and subtly compromises one’s health. Chronic stress can lead to a number of serious health-related issues, such as heart disease, depression, anxiety, diabetes and obesity, insomnia, stress amenorrhea, and upper respiratory infections. You know that head cold you seem to get every semester around finals week? More often than not, that cold can be directly attributed to high amounts of stress and the inability to cope with it. I know I feel it EVERY semester, but whether or not I let it take control of my life is completely up to me.
But it begs the question, as women, why are we prone to such high amounts of stress? There are a number of reasons that vary from gender to work load, hormones to stress management techniques. Sorry ladies, it just means we have to fight even harder to be that much stronger. On the flip side, it also means we are that much more capable of dealing with it.
Truly, I know I am more resilient after I have gone through a particularly challenging or stressful experience; taking what I learned from it and applying it to future situations helps me to avoid making the same mistakes twice. It doesn’t mean I’m perfect, because I sure as hell am not, but it does mean I’m learning to manage my stress better, because we all know nobody has time for that!
Managing your stress may not seem like the most important thing to do in the face of a million daunting tasks, but trust me, it will make such a difference that you will be kicking yourself for having waited so long. There are a number of ways to manage stress, and what works for someone might not work for someone else. Although you may have to try a few different techniques to find out what works for you, you will be so much happier once you do.
Journal writing is one of the most effective coping strategies for stress management, in that it increases one’s self-awareness. I have a hard time sitting down and doing the whole, “Dear diary, today I did blah blah blah blah blah…” thing. That’s why for me, writing for HerCampus is the creative outlet I need that allows me to express myself in a positive way.
Meditation and yoga have been used as stress management techniques for centuries, and personally I have noticed the biggest differences when I use yoga and meditation to manage my stress. Not only does it calm me down and allow me to think clearly, it helps me release all the tension and high levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Starting your day with yoga and/or meditation helps you to start your day off in a positive way, so you won’t turn into a fire breathing dragon when shit hits the fan.
In this day and age, we’re all moving just too damn fast to notice the time passing by us. Stop for a minute, get outside, and breathe (maybe not too deeply if it’s winter in the Salt Lake valley, but you get the idea). In my opinion, nature therapy, also known as ecotherapy, is one of the most important stress management techniques to utilize. Not only do you get the opportunity to soak in some much needed Vitamin D, you get the chance to step back, reconnect with your environment, and appreciate the beautiful world we all live in. Be present, get outside, and remember these times when it seems like it’s all falling down around you.
While these are all effective stress management techniques, none can replace the importance of proper exercise and nutrition to the body. Exercise releases serotonin, among a number of healthy hormones, into the brain and in effect actually makes you happier. Exercise alone can’t supplement your body with everything it needs; good nutrition goes hand in hand with having enough energy to tackle your daily tasks. Likewise, snacking, late night cravings, and processed foods will only slow you down and create more stress on your body, leaving you feeling guilty, bloated, and insecure. I know, I know; it’s easier said than done. In my experience I’ve found that when I exercise, I crave healthier foods that will supply my body with the nutrients they need. So listen to your body and try and interpret what it’s telling you. If you’re craving sugar, try some fruit instead of sweets. If you’re craving something salty, try some nuts instead of potato chips.
I know it’s not going to be easy, but I also know that it will be worth it. So cut yourself some slack, do some deep breathing exercises, and try to smile every now and then. In the words of Bob Marley, “Every little thing will be alright.” Your life isn’t going to fall apart tomorrow if you don’t learn to manage your stress today, but ten years down the road you’re going to look back and be wishing you had.