Manage your stress to manage yourself better....

Stress has become a fact of life for most of us. One may not be able to get rid of stress completely (in today's fast paced, volatile life cycle) however one can certainly look for ways to minimize one's stress to quite some extent.

Here are some ideas that have really worked wonders for me helping me keep my stress levels in check and though some of these may sound too bookish (& kind of preechy) but trust me I have tried these myself before mustering the conviction to share these at this platform;

Check your expectations;

A primary source of the our disappointment and disillusionment is when we don't find people around us behaving in accordance with our expectations. It would be worth trying to lower your expectations from others, in order to keep your displeasure (& resultant stress) under check.

Focus on the present;

You may get more done with less of a struggle (& resultant stress) if you make a schedule and prioritise your day-to-day activities. Focus on the present rather than worrying about the past or the future.

Pamper yourself;

Get plenty of rest and eat well....And more importantly 'exercise'.... Following a regular exercise regime is one of the best ways to manage stress....And if you somehow don't get time for a session of physical exercise, then walking is a great way to get going....

Learn to let go;

When you find yourself starting to worry on some issue, take a minute to assess whether it was due to something beyond your control (like the traffic snarls etc.) and then just let go of your worries and try & divert your attention.

Speak your mind;

Not being able to talk about your concerns creates stress. Assertive communication can help you express your feelings about a certain situation in a thoughtful, tactful way making the other person sit-up and take serious notice of your needs. Learn to say "no" where ever necessary.

Let your feelings out;

Laugh, Cry, Sing, Read or Write. As it provides you with a vent to express yourself. At times one is not able to handle one's stress all by oneself. Talking to a friend or family member may help. People who have a strong network of family and friends manage stress better.

Learn to enjoy yourselves;

Do something you enjoy. A hobby can help you relax. Volunteering work (or work that helps others) can be a great stress reliever. Look for the humor in life. Laughter really can be the best medicine.

Relax (& take a chill pill);

Learn ways to relax your body when feeling stressed. Some useful ways to distress can be breathing exercises, muscle relaxation exercises, some kind of body massage or yoga or meditation, for that matter as these are time-tested means of coping with stress.

Some of the above suggestions may appear bookish (& kind of preechy) but I've mustered the conviction of sharing these on this platform only after trying these out myself and trust me these worked wonders with me.

So happy stress busting to all.