Stress Management Tips
These few areas, if effectively regulated, could greatly improve your capacity to manage stress, and generally help you feel better. These may not be the exact solution for each person, while they could be modifications you could make some "relative" ease.
Often, it is also important to discuss your individual situation with a trained professional, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, physician or social worker.
Sleep
Consider the amount of sleep you may be getting. Typically, most adults should get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep. (Younger children tend to need more sleep than adults.) You could get too much sleep, or not enough. If you find that you need more sleep than usual, or you have been having trouble falling or staying asleep, these could be indicators that your stress level may be higher than you can effectively manage. Developing more regular sleep habits (going to bed/waking up at the same time), minimizing sugar and caffeine intake and incorporating an exercise routine should help with improving the quality of sleep.
Nutrition
“You are what you eat.” How many times have you heard that statement? While it’s obviously not literally true, what we eat definitely affects how we feel and how we cope with stress in our lives. For instance, if “Person A” manages a well-balanced diet, while “Person B” is heavy in carbohydrates and sugars, Person A may be more resilient to stressors and have a greater sense of well-being. Person B may be more tired, sluggish and moody and less able to manage life issues. A balanced diet catered to your health needs typically results in your having a greater sense of well-being.
Exercise
Exercise is associated with “feel-good” hormones (also called endorphins), and it can distract someone from otherwise toxic and stressful thoughts. (It may also have a positive impact on your sleep!) Typically people who don’t exercise (or who don’t do it enough) are more likely to struggle with effectively managing stress, and generally don’t feel as energetic or positive about their lives. Exercising with a regular frequency (within your physical ability, and with the guidance of a trainer/professional, if necessary) will typically result in an improvement in mood and capacity to manage stress more effectively.
Often, it is also important to discuss your individual situation with a trained professional, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, physician or social worker.
Sleep
Consider the amount of sleep you may be getting. Typically, most adults should get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep. (Younger children tend to need more sleep than adults.) You could get too much sleep, or not enough. If you find that you need more sleep than usual, or you have been having trouble falling or staying asleep, these could be indicators that your stress level may be higher than you can effectively manage. Developing more regular sleep habits (going to bed/waking up at the same time), minimizing sugar and caffeine intake and incorporating an exercise routine should help with improving the quality of sleep.
Nutrition
“You are what you eat.” How many times have you heard that statement? While it’s obviously not literally true, what we eat definitely affects how we feel and how we cope with stress in our lives. For instance, if “Person A” manages a well-balanced diet, while “Person B” is heavy in carbohydrates and sugars, Person A may be more resilient to stressors and have a greater sense of well-being. Person B may be more tired, sluggish and moody and less able to manage life issues. A balanced diet catered to your health needs typically results in your having a greater sense of well-being.
Exercise
Exercise is associated with “feel-good” hormones (also called endorphins), and it can distract someone from otherwise toxic and stressful thoughts. (It may also have a positive impact on your sleep!) Typically people who don’t exercise (or who don’t do it enough) are more likely to struggle with effectively managing stress, and generally don’t feel as energetic or positive about their lives. Exercising with a regular frequency (within your physical ability, and with the guidance of a trainer/professional, if necessary) will typically result in an improvement in mood and capacity to manage stress more effectively.