Slaying the Monster of Stress: Finding Calm in the Eye of the Storm
By: Life Purpose Institute
Tags: Stress Management, Finding Calm, Stress

This year, life in the United States has been anything but easy. On one hand, we’ve had to deal with a global pandemic ravaging states and claiming lives, leaving in its wake lockdowns, restrictions, job losses, and a dwindling economy. On the other, a nail-biting and extended election has also taken its toll, further elevating stress levels around the country.

With the storm hitting hard around us, how do you stop from going insane? Is there anything one can do to rediscover that belief for a sunnier tomorrow? Can people find happiness amid all the turmoil? Hope levels might be on the floor at the moment, but if history is anything to go by, Americans will rise again as always! We might not be able to deal with so many things right now, but stress is not one of them.

What is stress?

When something offsets the balance in your life, your body responds to it in some way. That could be through psychological, emotional, or behavioral action. What stresses you out differs from person to person, but it generally involves feelings of discomfort that can manifest in physical symptoms, like high blood pressure, especially in the long term.

How do you know you’re stressed out?

Stress affects people in different ways. If you find yourself constantly awake in the middle of the night, it may mean your mind is not at ease. An abundance of sleep may also be something to worry about.

Sometimes people compensate when troubled. Alcohol and drugs become the go-to for drowning out emotions and providing an escape from what’s going on around us.

Concentration also takes a dip when you’re stressed, as does your appetite. If you are no longer motivated to get a meal or you’ve suddenly lost interest in your hobbies, you may not be doing too well mentally.

Weight gain or loss could be an indication of stress. Digestive and stomach issues may be a sign of anxiety, just like unexplained lethargy and fatigue.

An onset of compulsive behaviors, emotional irritability, and a lingering feeling of tension in the upper body can also be manifestations of stress.

If social situations have become unappealing, or panic attacks have become frequent, you may be stressed

25 ways to win the fight with stress

Stress is a normal part of being human, and it is, in fact, an innate defense mechanism for survival. Too much of it, though, can lead to health issues affecting your blood pressure, immune system, and heart. Besides the physiological implications, stress can strain relationships to their breaking points and get in the way of your overall well-being.

The first step to dealing with stress is identifying your triggers so you can choose the best management methods. We have plenty of ideas to try out, and a combination of them could be the key to getting back that bounce in your step and the smile on your face:

Green tea can calm the mind. The amino acids in the matcha can counteract anxiety, but your doctor’s approval is recommended. Embrace the outdoors. Some fresh air and sun can turn a gloomy day right around. Try out an online HIIT class. Alternatively, develop a running or walking routine. These activities trigger stress-busting endorphins! Employ the services of a Life Coach. Life Coaches can assist you in finding solutions to stressful situations including work-related matters, and personal goals. Lavender, rose, sage, bergamot, among other essential oils, can relax the body and improve sleeping patterns. Play your feel-good playlist. Music makes us relive memories, and nostalgic songs reminiscent of happy times can turn a frown upside down! Meditate on it. When paired with your favorite songs, meditation can unlock creativity, improve focus, and quench tension in the mind and muscles. Learn a new skill. Trying out painting, drawing, etc., can still swaying waters as well. Go easy on the coffee. Caffeine can accelerate the heart and fuel anxiety; reducing intake helps. Eat well. Swap out the fast foods on the timetable for wholesome vegetables, fruits, and fresh foods. Nutritious meals have been shown to make people feel better! Freewriting may be key. You can process your emotions and thoughts as you express yourself in a personal journal. Talk with a friend, over the phone or on video. A conversation can lighten the load or make you forget your troubles. Take a road trip. Sometimes, seeing new places, meeting new people may be just the thing you need. Laugh more. Watch more of those funny cat bloopers that get you falling off the chair or a comedy to boost your mood. Laughing reduces anxiety and stress and gets you thinking more positively. No more late nights. Inadequate sleep can make you irritable and easily stressed out. Cut out whatever it is that is getting in-between bedtime. Don’t do too much. Often, you can take on responsibilities beyond what you need to. It helps to scale down to the minimum so you can easily handle what’s on your plate. Plan ahead. Completing tasks as you go may be what’s stressing you out. Preparing the day before is the way to go. Breathing exercises ahead of an activity that gets you anxious can calm wracking nerves. Hit the mat. Yoga offers mind-body benefits for your flexibility, breathing, and blood pressure. Stretch the stress out of your life! Get more hugs and cuddle time with pets and family. That triggers the release of hormones linked to happiness and anxiety-relief. Positive affirmation works! Saying nice things out loud about yourself makes you feel better, especially on those days you can’t wait to end. Cut off from technology. If you are constantly met by devastating headlines online, getting off social media and doing something else that makes you happy is advised. A puzzle offers a good distraction. Sometimes you may want to switch off from reality, and brain teasers are a healthy way to do that, especially when done with friends. Imagine a day out in the sun-kissed green grass of a riverbank in Dalmatia, Croatia, with nothing but the smell of roses, tunes of birds, and fluttering honeybees for company. Visualization, otherwise known as daydreaming, can make you feel better in an instant! A bath goes a long way too. Warm water embracing the skin and scented candles filling the nostrils, a bath is a long-time remedy for sickness, anxiety, stress, and all else that is bad with the world.

If your stress levels feel really out of control, then be sure to get professional help as soon as you can; that may be a doctor or a qualified therapist. Sometimes, too much stress can be a symptom of an underlying condition, which is best to get checked out quickly.

By Fern Gorin

Founder Life Purpose Institute

https://www.lifepurposeinstitute.com