Friday, December 20, 2013

What Are Some Strategies For Coping With Stress?

By Harriett Crosby


It is not common for one to become overwhelmed by situations that appear to be beyond our control. This may occur in situations such as losing a loved one, losing a job, suffering a major illness or facing economic hardships. These are just but a few causes of anxiety and stress. If not properly handled, they may lead to a long, painful self-destructive road. The big question is, what are some strategies for coping with stress effectively?

Knowledge of the negative effects of this feeling both mentally and physically empowers one to deal with the challenge upfront. Contrary to common beliefs, the effects are not just psychological. They include a world variety of other body systems and other symptoms include muscle spasms, high blood pressure, back and chest pain, obesity, just to mention a few. Mentally, affected persons may experience anger, anxiety, fatigue, restlessness, sadness, insecurity and forgetfulness.

Causes of stress vary depending on the environment we live in. In other words, what one finds stressful may be a simple manageable thing to another. The most common causes include death of a loved one, financial matters, relationships, illness and so forth. It is also possible that one can feel tensed without any obvious trigger.

Personal development is a very crucial tool in handling various pressures of life. Self-nurture raises self-esteem and makes it easier to be content in various aspects of our lives. A good number of people are carried away with pleasing other people to an extent that they forget their own individual needs. By learning to have fun and to relax frequently, it will be possible to deal with almost anything. Taking a good bath, an occasional nature walk or working out are just a few ways of relaxing.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is another key factor in management of stress. A well balanced diet prepares one upcoming challenges without fear of intimidation. More to diet is enough sleep which helps clear and organise the mind. The quality of sleep should be emphasized more than the quantity of sleep. Short term remedies such as caffeine, alcohol and other drugs are not recommended since they only postpone the problem rather than fully solving it.

If one strategy is undertaken and fails, there is need to change. It is illogical to do the same thing over and over and expect a totally different outcome. One is advised to explore new avenues or enhance the mother plan. Being more aggressive, managing time more wisely and being open minded can yield expected results.

If you cannot change the cause of the stress, an alternative is to change oneself. In other words, develop a positive attitude towards the situation. Ensure your life goals are realistic. No human being can be perfect; one can only aim at doing their best instead of clinging to a perfectionist attitude which may prove to be a dead end.

With inevitable stress such as bereavement, it is important to share your feelings with a trusted person. One should also let go of any related anger or resentment and have a forgiving heart. Hopefully, the question, what are some strategies for coping with stress has been fully tackled.




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