Spring is the season of stress. No one denies it. No one would argue the claim that summer, fall and winter are also seasons of stress. My point is that every day I have a new ball of stress that I have to deal with and at my age with my little experience in life thus far, I don’t have a lot of tools to handle it. So, I’ve taken the liberty in listing the ways I handle my stress. Please keep in mind as you read the list that these are things that personally help me, and I am sharing these to provide help for those who might find it helpful. If these do not work for you, or they seem too simplistic for you, that’s okay. It might not work for everyone.
- Most importantly, I view my stress positively:
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In high school, I was in debate for two years. One of the arguments I had to dissect was the topic of stress. In one of the many articles I read, I found something interesting that stuck with me: viewing your stress as a good thing, according to Greater Good Magazine, comes with benefits. Let me break it down for you.
We generate the response we think we deserve. If you’re stressed, and you think of your stress negatively, you will see negative outcomes. However, if you think of your stress positively, you will see positive outcomes.
Viewing my stress positively hasn’t resolved all of my issues, but it’s given me a place to start: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_turn_stress_into_a_good_thing
- I take time to breathe:
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This one has been instructed to me by my dad countless times. When I’m on the phone with him in tears, he instructs me to take three deep breaths and think about the first step to the solution of my problem. Usually, that gets the ball rolling for me, and as soon as I’m off the phone with him, I’m completing the first three steps.
This isn’t to say you have to get a jump on things right away, but make sure you take time to take three deep breaths and figure out the first step. It might help to then take a nice bath, watch a movie, listen to your favorite song or do something you enjoy before getting a move on your solution, if that’s what fits you best. Just breathe.
- I call someone I trust and rant (or cry):
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This ranges from my parents to my best friends. The truth is, I cry over the phone a lot, and as I type this, I recognize how much that makes me sound like an over-emotional baby. But I’m okay with it. When I rant, I feel a sense of relief because the other person is there to lift my spirits. Sometimes I get tough love and sometimes I get to hear what I want to hear. Either way, I leave the conversation feeling 50 pounds lighter and less stressed, because I know I’m not harboring any feelings without someone aware of my situation.
- I watch Netflix and Hulu:
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I would be a liar if I tried to sell the idea that I don’t procrastinate. Of course I procrastinate—it’s one of my strengths in life. Sometimes, when I feel overwhelmed with the responsibilities I have, I lay in bed and watch crime documentaries on Netflix (and whatever I can’t find on Netflix, I watch on Hulu).
Doing this allows me to think freely for a while and spend a little time to myself. I personally enjoy spending time alone with myself, so doing this allows me to be alone and stay occupied.
- I make a list of what I need to do:
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This might not work for you, but it does wonders for me. I like to think I’m an organized person, so when I write a list (color coated, too), I get to see just how much I have on my plate. It allows me to plan out what task I want to tackle and when. Being the person I am, when I have a plan for something days (or hours) in advance, I tend to get a move on it and finish what I need to do.
- I remember it’s all going to be okay:
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Half of the stuff I’m stressed about is stuff I’m not going to be worried about in a year, a month or sometimes if I’m a lucky, a week. Whether you realize it, you have a backup plan for everything. Keep your backup plans in mind as you deal with your stress. For example, if you don’t do well on this next test, you just have to study harder. You’ll get there, eventually.
- I read inspirational quotes:
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They make me feel better about myself. Need I say more?
- I remind myself success is not a timeline:
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It’s easy to get swept up in the glamour of planning. You go to school, get a great job, get married, have kids, grow old with your significant other and die happy. Although it’s attainable, it might not happen in the desired order. That’s okay. When it comes to timing, your success is not to be compared with others. People grow at different speeds and people face different obstacles in life. Don’t let the success of others stress you out and don’t feel stressed because you don’t feel like you’ve accomplished everything in life yet. You still have time. Until then, sit back and enjoy the ride.
If we didn’t have stress, life would be too easy. Try and stay grounded in your values and be the best version of yourself you can be, and soon enough, that will be your saving grace. It’s okay to feel stressed out at times because sometimes, life throws you curveballs. You won’t know how to handle everything and you won’t have the solution to everything. Just enjoy life, one day at a time.