| Physical
exercises like aerobics or going to the gym are good ways of
handling stress and harnessing needed energy for life. But there
are more ways to cope with stress like these ten stress handlers:
1) Channel
negative energy – If you feel you are about to explode from
anger, quickly engage yourself in any physical activity. Run,
clean the house, play your favorite sport or tend the garden.
These physical exertions provide a venue for the “anger” energy
to be channeled to more creative ways than give in to the “fight”.
2) Don’t bottle it up – Sometimes, when confronted with something
stressful like a problem in the family, school, or office, talking
it out with a confidante or a friend do wonders. The soundboard
could be someone from your church or your doctor. If you are
able, you can consult a psychiatrist to give you a more professional
advice.
3) Accept the inevitable – There are things that happen for
a reason and we cannot do anything about it. Don’t beat yourself
up with these things. Just let it go and learn to accept that
in life, nothing’s perfect.
4) Never self-medicate – Over-the-counter drugs that promise
to relieve stress abound and there are individuals who opt for
this quick remedies. But they are just that: quick relievers.
They do not address the root of the matter and may sometimes
worsen things when addiction kicks in.
5) Sleep and rest well – People need at least eight hours of
sleep to be able to face the day’s challenges and enjoy what
life has to offer. Make sure you get enough rest or sleep. Consult
with a doctor if what’s bothering you keeps you up all night.
6) Strike a balance work and play – It’s never good to always
work and never have fun. The body and the mind needs to take
a break from work and you should do something fun every now
and then. If you don’t have a hobby or hates going out, bumming
around in the house and watching TV won’t hurt.
7) Extend a helping hand – Instead of doing something for yourself,
why not try doing something for others for a change. This can
be a great stress-reliever as it gives you a good feeling out
of helping. Helping is also a great way to form new friendships.
8) Don’t do everything – Nobody’s a super man. Do things one
at a time. Although the modern society values multitasking,
you should learn to prioritize things and delegate tasks at
home or work.
9) Give in to others – If you think that another person’s wishes
or prodding is giving you a lot of stress, give in to that person
and you’ll be surprised on the burden that will be lifted off
your shoulder. Don’t think of it as a defeat but a break.
10) Don’t isolate yourself – Isolation is never a good thing
because we are social animals and we are born to interact with
other people. Say yes to a date. Go out with like-minded people.
Go to clubs. Make friends. If you have problems, don’t brood
too much on it because doing so will only give you more to worry
about.
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