2020 was a difficult year for many—and 2021 promises more of the same. You are likely experiencing heightened stress levels day in and day out, and with little to no outlet to help you deal with it.
Long-term, unmanaged stress leads to irritability, tension, anxiety, hopelessness, and physical symptoms like lack of sleep, migraines, digestion problems, and muscle pain. This is why stress management is necessary for people to live healthy, fulfilling lives.
To help you out, here are six simple ways to help you reduce stress:
1) Take a Break
Productivity at work and home is important—you should always do everything you need to do within a day and do your best to do all of it well. However, putting too much pressure on yourself to do everything all at once will only lead to burnout! As such, it’s essential to take regular breaks and recharge.
If you’re working from home, it may help to set an alarm at the top of every hour. This will remind you to get up from your workstation to stretch, walk around a bit, and drink a glass of water. Even just five to ten minutes away from your work will give you an energy boost to get through the rest of the day.
2) Identify Stressors
There are many great tips to manage stress, but sometimes the best solution is to keep from getting stressed at all. Take a moment to sit down and analyze what is causing stress in your life. Are you taking on too much at work? Are you facing financial problems? Or is it relationship problems that are bugging you?
Pinpoint your issues, identify what’s causing you the most stress, and do your best to eliminate these problems if possible. You may be carrying loads of issues you shouldn’t have to; it’s time to set them down and live an easier life!
3) Take Care of Yourself
Whether it’s putting off a workout, buying too much junk food, or getting by with very little sleep during the work week it’s easy to fall into unhealthy habits when leading a busy life. You must take the time and effort to take care of your body. It’s the only one you get, and want it to be functioning optimally for many years to come!
4) Ask for Help
During times of high stress, it may be instinctive for you to hunker down and deal with everything by yourself. The fact is, social support is one of the best ways to alleviate stress. If you need help with work, ask a manager or colleague to help you. If you need a venting session, call up a close friend. If you need advice or more in-depth support, a mental health counsellor or therapist would be happy to help.
5) Practice Mindfulness
Taking the time each day to practice mindfulness is a great way to cultivate inner peace. It relaxes the mind and body by helping you to be present in the here and now, without judging your thoughts or feelings. Cultivating mindfulness will surely reduce the stress you experience in daily life.
6) Have Fun
Laughter is the best medicine. It’s a cliché because it’s true! Do you remember the last time you had a good laugh with a friend? The last time you participated in a carefree, fun activity? After childhood, opportunities for fun and laughter don’t come organically. You have to pursue it for yourself to help you live a happier, stress-free life.
Conclusion
Believe it or not, you don’t have to live with stress every single day. You don’t have to always be on guard for the next challenge you have to face. You can live a productive life without the stress migraines and stomach aches. These simple tips to mitigate stress will clear your mind and lead to a better, more fulfilling life.
Are you in need of stress counselling in Edmonton? Ward & Associates Psychological Services is a psychological clinic located in Sherwood Park. We provide couples counselling, therapy for anxiety disorders, PTSD treatment, and more. Let us help you live an easier life, and book a counselling session with us today!