Do you occasionally feel like a cartoon character with a finger in an electrical socket? Stress is such an integral part of our lives nowadays that we seldom realise it isn’t something we’d classify as normal. Not all stress is abnormal, though. There is such a thing as good stress, which keeps us going and motivates us to complete tasks on time. But bad stress or chronic stress is what you should be wary of. This is the kind of stress that can cause physical, mental, and emotional discomfort, and make you feel all kinds of wrong.
The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it. Now is the time to manage the good, the bad, and the ugly faces of stress. Here are a few ways to help you do just that.
1. Identify your stressors
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We are often so lost in our self-acclaimed stressful lives, that we never really sit back and see what EXACTLY is stressing us out. Sure, everyone says that they have stress in their life…but has anyone ever listed down concrete things/situations that stress them out? Do exactly that. Sit down and ask yourself what exactly is making you so stressed; and you’ll often find the solution right here.
2. Craft
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Adopting a new hobby; something that gives you the chance to craft or create something is always pleasurable since it gives you the feeling of being productive. Also, repetitive motions - like the fine motor skills used to knit or make jewellery -- can soothe a stressful mind and help you calm down, since it makes you mindful of the present. Speaking of which….
3. Being Mindful
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It cannot be stressed enough, the importance of being mindful. We’re always plugged in on two hundred devices at once, and are under so much pressure to reply to every tweet, email and ping that comes our way. When was the last time you actually tasted the food you ate? Are you aware of how many sips it takes you to finish a glass of water? If not, it’s because you are too busy being staring at a screen. Most of our jobs today involve that, anyway, so it’s best to avoid the screen when performing normal everyday tasks and instead be mindful of what you’re doing.
4. Do Something Pleasurable
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Anhedonia is something we know all too well. It’s when the things you used to enjoy now leave you cold, as if there is a barrier between what you enjoy doing; few things seem rewarding any more. You can counteract this feeling by taking baby steps towards the things you used to enjoy. Some ideas include
(a) Be kind to your body: take a shower, lather on your favourite lotion and realise that you smell amazing, you feel clean. Drink lots of water, have lots of cold fruits and drink fresh juice.
(b) Other activities that seem mundane: meet up with a friend you haven’t contacted in a while, maybe go out with them to grab lunch; bake a cake and share it with your neighbours or colleagues.
Feel free to think up your own ideas; anything that makes you feel accomplished and pleased with yourself is a great way to begin..
5. Turn To Your Memories
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This one has personally worked for me very well. When you feel overwhelmed by all the criteria you feel the need to fulfil, or the constant need to be perfect at every task you ever attempt, and if you fail, which you inevitably will, you will feel the stress of being a grown up, and the stress that comes with taking all the responsibilities that you have WILLINGLY taken up. What you should do then, is turn to all the memories that are your safe haven. A memorable trip you took with friends, or the time that you faked a sickness to get out of going to school and actually succeeded (we never did), or even the time you got praise for something you successfully completed. The present will seem less intimidating, and you’ll realise that it’s okay to be stuck sometimes. With that acceptance comes peace of mind.
6. Create a Relaxation Room
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It doesn't have to be a "room" per se. It can be a space in your bedroom, or in a quaint coffee shop down the street, but the key is having an area solely devoted to relaxing. Where you can sit and actually take a breath without having a hundred and one things trying to get your attention. This should be your device-free zone, where all you can carry is probably a book or magazine or just your imagination. The idea is to give you a place to decompress with very little stimulus.
7. Buy A Plant
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This is the pet-equivalent for those who’re always on the go and working non-stop. Having a plant is seemingly a very unimportant thing to do, but they’re more than just indoor air purifiers. The colour green has a positive effect on the brain and simply having a plant around will make you feel much more connected with nature. Also, mindfully done, the act of watering a plant can be very relaxing and rewarding.
8. Be Grateful
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Wanting to be your best is normal, especially in teenagers. However, we seldom ever stop and feel satisfied with who or where we are. Of course, feeling way too satisfied would mean we would stop working to be better; but the constant pressure to be better than we already are is ruining a lot of us. We’re never happy with the job we have or the marks we got. But there’s absolute joy that comes out of waking up early in the morning and being happy that you managed it. Be happy for once, even for a little while, because it will calm those fidgety nerves.
9. Sleep Is Your Kryptonite
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Sleep is magical, really. When all your emotions are going haywire, and you’re feeling all the negative emotions it’s possible for you to feel, sleep is the way to go. When you wake up after an hour or even five, you’ll feel better. And if you miss out on your work, or on life in general, tell yourself that your mental health is important. As we said before, sometimes, it’s okay not to be in control.
10. Change your clothes
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As soon as you get home from a stressful day at work or school, change your clothes. You’re doing yourself a huge favour, because you’re telling yourself that you’re now out and AWAY from the stressful environment, and this will automatically calm your nerves. Don't be lazy about this; it takes practically no time!
11. Go To A Bookstore
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No, you don’t necessarily have to be a bookworm or even an avid reader to do that. The idea is to go somewhere public but private at the same time, and feel lost. And there’s something for everyone in a bookstore, so why not? Being surrounded by something other than electric devices is a strangely delightful feeling.
12. Indulge in Guilty Pleasures
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Once in a while, it’s alright to do this. Watch 'The Notebook' three times in a row and cry your eyes out, watch 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians' and laugh at the things you wouldn’t get to experience very often. Guilty pleasures exist to make you feel guilty for indulging in them; but we’d choose guilt over debilitating stress any day!
13. Do Nothing
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We all know what Winnie the Pooh said – don’t underestimate the value of doing nothing! Although this seems like an everyday thing, we’re always doing something, either physically or mentally. It’s important to know how beautiful it is to do nothing, and rest afterwards. Have an emergency exit for every day; you never know when it gets too much to handle.
14. Will This Matter When I’m Dead?
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Admittedly, this sounds more than a bit morbid, but visiting a graveyard -- whether literally or figuratively -- can help you reframe a stressful situation. No, seriously. This is so important and its funny that, although it seems ridiculous, it actually works! There’s just a slight possibility of going overboard and literally becoming stress-free, but if that’s what you’re aiming for, then seriously, ask yourself this question. And give yourself the answer.
15. The Internet Is A Friend
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We all know the important of plugging out of all forms of connectivity to feel better, but for those of us who have desk jobs, we can’t really afford to look away from our screens every 5 minutes. What’s the solution? A few of these websites that will turn your mood around!
Calm Make everything okay
Rainy Mood
Nicest place on the internet
Do Nothing
Noisli
The quiet place
Soundrown
Automatic
Flattery
Look at
something
Disgruntle me
16. Meet Your Happy Person
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Everyone should have this one person, their chill-pill, who can tell them to calm down and it just magically happens. People who light up after seeing you, or always have some comforting things to say are extremely important people who need to stay in your life, unlike the walking, talking black holes that suck the life out of you.
17. Water
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Try the Japanese Water Therapy (Drink 4 glasses of water immediately upon waking up in the morning); or you can be a bit more ridiculous and drink water upside down. That helps relieve stress and avoid hiccups. Swimming or any other water activity helps in lowering your stress levels. Being 70% water has its benefits, people.
18. Blow Up A Balloon
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No one can be stressed and grumpy while blowing a balloon. Try it. There’s just something humorous about having a sack of air lying around. Consequently, you can just try to balance a balloon, and not let it touch the ground. Hey, it’s a game for kids, but you can put two and two together and realise why kids always have a smile plastered on their face.
19. Distance Yourself From Triggers
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Being self-absorbed in your own world is a fantastic way to stress yourself out over things which are plain irrelevant. Simply stop being around thoughts or places or even people who make you anxious. Mini-vacations or 5-minute vacays are extremely helpful for those who cannot take the time out to personally work on individual stressors.
20. Find What Works For You
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Finally, don’t just take in the tips you read everywhere. Your body and mind are unique to you. What works for others isn’t guaranteed to work for you, but the road to self-discovery requires experimentation. These are all very relaxing but maybe your kind of de-stressing involves pushing walls and tiring yourself out physically. As long as it's healthy and it works, it's good enough for you.
What do you do when you're having a tough time? Tell us some of your de-stressing tricks in the comments below.
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