Stressed? Just Remember, It's Just A Bad Day, Not A Bad Life

We all have our go-to expressions when it comes to feeling stressed out.

Forgive me for not listing them all since they can vary across different languages. 

It is, however, my sincere belief that it's our work ethic or even our way of unwinding that can trigger stress.

No matter where you are at in life, using proven methods to decrease and prevent stressful incidents is absolutely crucial.

I'm going to reveal some highly effective strategies that can be easily integrated into your daily routine.

Keep in mind though, some of these suggestions may demand a bit more time.

Life is short, so let's not forget that every single moment holds immense value.

With that said, let's get into this!

Stressed out

Mastering the Art of Time Management

When you take the time to learn time management techniques, you could literally be unlocking a world of limitless opportunities.

Try it out!

 

Imagine being able to work more efficiently and perform better. The end result will free up more quality or “me” time.

So, how can you become a time management wizard?

 Glad you asked:

• First and foremost, focus and concentrate!
• Channel your inner Zen master and banish distractions to the netherworld.
• Delegate tasks that are better suited for others, freeing up your precious time. 
• Also, remember to plan some "me time" (as I mentioned earlier) because you deserve it!
• Keep a careful log of your time management techniques. You'll no doubt need to refer to them again in the future.

Be Your Own Stress Detective 

When you start to discover the intricacies of your everyday routine, you can become your own personal detective. Then YOU can solve the crime of what stole your time.

Rank your tasks by their importance and urgency.

Direct your time towards those activities that truly matter to you. Priorities are what you make them.

Try to avoid overcommitting or under committing. Only pledge your time to what truly ignites your passion. Leave the rest behind.

Delays are the biggest threat to efficiency. The best tools for preventing loitering are task-sorting applications and day planners.

 

Use these tools to make yourself into an equivalent of a skilled military strategist going into battle against your sworn enemy of delay!

Set small deadlines and divide those massive jobs into manageable pieces.

This is the most effective method for breaking the habit of procrastinating.

What is a stress journal?

Simply put: a stress journal is your go-to resource for recording all those tense situations, your reactions, and the clever strategies you use to deal with them. 

You can go back to the entries you made and try to figure out how to avoid the stressors you noted.

Now that you are equipped with this wealth of knowledge, you are now prepared to see your tasks to completion.

These newfound strategies will be your secret weapon, empowering you to shift your focus towards the bright side of life. 

You'll be taking charge of what you can change or control. It's time to show stress who's boss!

Lifestyle Changes Affect Stress 

Our stress levels can be subtly altered by certain actions and lifestyle decisions. Even though they may not be the direct cause, they certainly can interfere with your ultimate goal of reducing stress. 

If you want to manage your stress and live your best life, try these creative ideas:

1. Juggle personal, work, and family needs like a pro. It's all about finding that sweet spot where everything gets the attention it deserves. You got this!

2. Find your purpose in life. Having a clear sense of direction will make those stress demons run for the hills. Trust me, they won't know what hit 'em.

3. Beauty sleep is NOT a myth. Your body needs that precious shut-eye to recover from the day's stress. So, snuggle up and let your body do its magic while you snooze away.

4. Now, here's a secret weapon against stress: a balanced diet. Feed your body the good stuff, and it will reward you with a solid defense against those pesky stressors. Bon appétit!

5. Time to get your groove on with some moderate exercise. Watch your stress disappear as you work up a sweat and release endorphins. Give your mind and body a little mini-vacation.

6. I beg you not to use alcohol as a coping method. Everyone enjoys having fun, but let's tone it down a little.

 

Remember, moderation is key. So, if you must sip please do so responsibly.

7. Finally, STOP smoking (any and everything). It's high time to retire those poisonous sticks. REALLY. You don't need that kind of drama in your our life, because smoking and stress are like quarreling siblings.

 

Next time you “need to take a drag” just picture that in your mind for a moment….

Social Support To Beat Stress 

Recent research is confirming what we already knew: social support transforms both our emotional and physical health.

Believe it or not, social support is essential to how we manage stress. It's like having a cheerleading team of supporters made up of your family and most trusted friends. 

Here's something I picked up from The National Center For Biotechnology Information’s website on the subject of social support:

“Overall, it appears that positive social support of high quality can enhance resilience to stress, help protect against developing trauma-related psychopathology, decrease the functional consequences of trauma-induced disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and reduce medical morbidity and mortality.” 

(PubMed Central https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2921311/)

The experts clearly agree with this approach as well.

Thought Stopping + Alternatives 

Thought-stopping is one of many well-known stress reduction techniques.

To put it simply, thought-stopping is often used a a means of curbing negative thoughts and shutting off your reactions to them. 

Imagine a traffic cop allowing safe and sensible drivers to pass while dangerous drivers are stopped from interfering with normal traffic flow.

It actually works for some people, while others need alternatives:

- Debunking irrational thoughts is key to preventing the overblown negativity, the doomsday predictions, and the misinterpretation of events. It's like putting on a pair of truth-tinted glasses!

- Mastering problem-solving skills is your secret weapon to dissecting stressful situations and finding effective ways to conquer them. It's like becoming the Sherlock Holmes of stress-busting!

- Revamping your communication style is the ultimate power move to express your thoughts without squashing others' spirits, creating hostility, or inducing intimidation. Say goodbye to stress-inducing miscommunication!

Even writers like me can get stressed even though we're just using our hands to do the talking, but having to sit for 7 or 8 hours is already stressful enough and we have our own way to relieve stress.

So, whether you're a postal worker, dog catcher, an office custodian or even the CEO, stress is one unwanted visitor you would love to boot out of your homes, especially your life.

What do you do to beat stress in your life?

If you really liked this article, you may also like this book!

"Your Health Is Your Wealth!!"