How to deal with stress can be a challenging thing to learn at first, but as you work your way through various different experiences and obstacles in life, you start to come up with strategies that work.
It can be hard to manage the various responsibilities of the day, and you might feel overwhelmed at times if you're not careful. You need to make sure that you have a healthy balance of work and play and take care of your mental health by taking time for yourself now and then.
Good VS Bad Stress
Before we get into dealing with stress, it is important to understand that there are good and bad types of stress. Stress has the potential to give you an energy boost when you need it most, which can be very helpful in certain situations.
The good type of stress makes you feel like your brain is on fire, and suddenly, you have this burst of motivation and energy that you didn't know you had within you. The bad type of stress is the type that makes you want to curl up in a ball under your desk.
You are unable to focus or concentrate on any one thing, and the only thing you want to do is give up on everything you've ever dreamed of.
What Can Stress Do To You?
When stress becomes chronic, it can wreak havoc on your mental and physical health. It can trigger or worsen symptoms of depression, anxiety disorders, asthma, heart disease and other conditions. Stress can even change the way your immune system works.
Stress also affects how you feel physically by making you more susceptible to illnesses caused by a compromised immune system, such as colds or the flu. As stress goes up, your immune system goes down.
How To Cope With Stress
There are many different coping mechanisms that you can use to deal with stress daily. These include things like taking walks, exercising, listening to music or spending time outdoors.
You may need some more specific strategies if you feel like you've entered 'the danger zone' and your stress is starting to get out of hand.
Stress comes from many different sources, including your occupation or living environment, but it often stems from the expectations people put on themselves.
The key thing to remember when dealing with stress is that there are plenty of ways to tackle it without medication or other treatments - just by making small changes in your life! These 12 simple strategies will help lower stress levels so you can enjoy life more:
1. Keep a journal
Please write down your stresses, what caused them, and how you felt about the situation in general. Think of it as a kind of personal diary where you can vent your emotions without fear of judgement or criticism... although it's also good to get other people's opinions on things!
Then, think about how the problem was resolved or what you could have done to prevent the situation. You are essentially putting your problems to paper by writing them down, so they are out of your head.
2. Practice mindfulness
This technique has been proven effective in treating anxiety and other mood disorders that can arise from stress.
Mindfulness involves just being aware of yourself at the moment, paying attention to the world around you. It's great because it encourages relaxation and can help to clear your mind.
3. Exercise regularly
Easier said than done, right? Well, yes - but only if you don't plan! Know what you will be doing ahead of time, and make sure to schedule it into your day.
You can exercise first thing in the morning or at night, but remember that you probably won't stick with it very long if it is something you hate. Find a way to enjoy exercising and then encourage yourself to stick with it - even if it is just for 20 minutes a day.
4. Eat lots of healthy foods
You might not feel like cooking when you get home from work... but what if we told you that green tea ice cream existed? The point is that you should be looking for ways to get healthy, whole foods into your diet.
It's also recommended that you cut down on caffeine, processed food and sugar - they can all contribute to weight gain, stress and high blood pressure.
5. Get enough rest
This one comes with a condition: if you are stressed out and don't get enough sleep, you are just going to get more stressed! We're not saying go to bed at 8 pm every night, but ensure that you're getting the recommended 7-8 hours each night.
You can also try taking a nap in the afternoon if you need an energy boost - it's better than reaching for that 3 pm coffee, right?
6. Find a good support network
Your friends and family are usually the first places you think of when you're stressed... but sometimes it's hard to open up about your problems.
Maybe you don't have anyone to talk to who understands what you are going through, or maybe they have too many of their issues. Connecting with other people online or finding a support group can help you; make sure that they will not judge you.
7. Be proactive, not reactive
We've probably heard this advice before... but what does it mean? It means taking the initiative and making healthy choices for yourself instead of reacting to the pressure around you. Don't wait until you are in dire straits before you take action - can you afford to miss another day of work because your stress levels are through the roof?
8. Try therapy or counselling
Sometimes stress comes from a deeper, darker place that you can't get rid of on your own. There are plenty of free resources out there for counselling and therapy, so you should never feel like you can't afford to get some help.
It's a good idea to make sure that the person who will be helping you is qualified - but if not, they might still be able to point you in the right direction.
9. Meditate or pray
This one is all about finding peace and quiet. It can be hard to find the time for this, but you might be surprised how easy it is when you put your mind to it! Try spending 10 minutes each day in a calm place like a corner of your bedroom.
You can also try writing down three things that made you happy that day or three things to be grateful for.
10. Cut down on caffeine
Speaking of coffee... it's a well-known fact that too much caffeine can cause stress, anxiety and sleep problems. Try cutting back a little each week until you have weaned yourself off it completely - or limit yourself to one cup in the afternoon if that's what you need to do.
11. Listen to more music
Listening to upbeat and comforting songs might help you feel better and more relaxed, especially if you sing along!
It's also a good idea to look for songs with lyrics that make you feel empowered or remind you of happy times. You can even try writing your music - it could be a great creative outlet and help you get rid of all those negative feelings.
12. Do Something You Love
One of the best ways to deal with stress is by doing something you love. As tough as it might be to find the energy and motivation to make this happen, it will pay off, and you'll feel like a brand new person.
It doesn't matter if it's cooking your favourite meal, getting outside for a walk or simply listening to music – as long as the activity makes you happy and helps you relax, then that is what counts.
More Resources
5-Day Habit Switch for Stress Relief
5 Ways You Can Prioritise Your Time To Reduce Stress
10 Ways to Stay Calm Under Pressure
If all these fail, what next?
The above tips can help you deal with stress and get your life back on track... but sometimes they just won't cut it.
- If your problems seem like they are spiralling out of control and the only thing that makes you happy is shopping or drinking, then maybe it's time to see a professional. Of course, therapy and counselling can be expensive, but they might provide you with the help you need.
- Be proactive and take control of your life. When we feel like we aren't in charge of our lives, it's easy to think things are completely out of our control. But don't be fooled - you have the power to make a difference and achieve whatever you want.
- It is always better to say something than to keep quiet! Even if it costs you time or money, having that uncomfortable conversation can be worth it in the end because there will be nothing worse than losing out on your dreams.
- Remember that no matter how difficult it gets, you are by far the best person to deal with your problems. Nobody knows you better than yourself, so don't be afraid to put yourself first rather than always thinking about others. Just be careful not to go too far - nobody wants a selfish friend or partner!
- Try to remember that it's okay to ask for help once in a while. Sometimes we need a little help from our friends. Even if you don't know what's going on, it never hurts to talk about it - oversharing might not be good for your social life, but it could be a lifesaver in the long run!
Final thought on How to deal with stress
How to deal with stress as a boss lady can be very tough, especially if you're not taking the time for yourself now and then.
Thankfully there are many ways to manage our workloads and reduce the pressure of work daily - from getting outside more often to meditating or praying. If these tips don't help you find your balance, it may be worth considering therapy or counselling- although this might seem expensive at first glance, it could save you in the long run by helping resolve whatever problems have been causing your stress symptoms.
It's also important to remember that nobody has control over everything going on in their lives - but what matters is that they take action whenever possible, so they don't lose sight of their dreams.
Hope this article has helped you know how to deal with stress. I'd like to know your opinion on How to deal with stress as a boss lady.
What do you think about it? Leave your comments below.
More Resources
https://nypost.com/2017/07/27/talking-to-yourself-isnt-crazy-its-stress-relief/
https://www.usa.edu/2019/11/how-laughter-can-relieve-stress/
https://www.healthline.com/health/10-ways-to-relieve-stress#diet