No matter your age, stress affects every individual in any stage of life. Factors such as school, work, and relationships can be the main triggers of stress, but other things such as traumatic experiences and negative changes can be clearly linked to stress.
Now, a little bit of stress can actually be beneficial for us. For example, it can help us work more efficiently. However, chronic stress affects us physically, mentally, behaviorally, and cognitively. In fact, 73% of Americans have experienced psychological symptoms caused by stress. This can include irritability, experiencing low self-esteem, and feeling overwhelmed. Physical symptoms of stress include insomnia, headaches, frequent colds, low energy, and nausea. Examples of behavioral and cognitive changes include changes in appetite, constant worrying, inability to focus, and increased use of alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes.
With all of these challenges, it might be daunting trying to combat stress. Here are some lifestyle changes that might help you cope with stress:
Exercise.
This is one of the most important ways to handle stress. Exercise releases endorphins which induce a feeling of euphoria and act as natural painkillers. Exercising also help decrease tension and improves self-esteem. In addition, exercise is linked to improving one’s ability to sleep which, in turn, reduces stress. You don’t even have to go to the gym. Try walking for at least thirty minutes a day and I can guarantee that you will feel a little better.
Get more sleep.
Although stress can keep us up at night, there are ways to fall asleep naturally without relying on medication. Try drinking caffeine-free herbal tea, reading a book, or dimming the lights before going to bed. This might sound difficult, but try to restrain from using your phone for about an hour before you go to bed. The light from your device sends signals to your brain to stay awake. When you get more sleep, you won’t feel as fatigued and irritable.
Keep a Journal.
Writing down your feelings has been proven to benefit an individual’s psychological health. Before you go to sleep, try writing about your day. Include the ups and the downs so you can try to understand what is triggering your stress. By understand yourself more, you can better grasp how to manage your stress.
Prioritize.
Trust me, looking at your to-do list and seeing 10+ things you have to accomplish can be incredibly intimidating. Instead, complete the most important tasks first. For example, if you have a bunch of school work due Tuesday and Wednesday, complete the work due Tuesday first. Record the tasks that need to be completed today, this week, and this month. When you break down your to-do list into smaller categories, you can more easily manage the work in front of you. Therefore, you won’t feel as overwhelmed.
Trying all of these lifestyle changes at once might seem like a lot, so attempt to slowly incorporate these tips into your life. You’ll notice that it will be much easier to manage stress. Once you learn how to manage stress, you will become the best version of yourself and will be able to face any challenge or workload head-on.
Sources:
https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ps/stress-tips.html
https://www.stress.org/daily-life/
https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-symptoms-effects_of-stress-on-the-body#2
https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-management-relieving-stress#1