Help You De-stress
Freaked out by exams? Pressured by parents? Bullied by classmates? Driven nuts by teachers? You must be STRESSED OUT!
Everyone experiences stress at some point in life. It is your body’s way of dealing with the curved balls that life throws at you. When you are faced with a stressful situation, such as when you are being confronted by a bully, your wonderfully-made body releases the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones help you to deal with the situation by making you stronger and more alert. Once the danger is over, your nervous system returns to normal.
However, if you are experiencing prolonged stress, your nervous system keeps releasing those stress hormones. This is harmful to your body as it actually weakens your immune system and you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
• Headaches, stomach and digestive problems, muscle pain, chest pain;
• Depression or preferring to be alone;
• Allergic reactions such as asthma and eczema;
• Anger, irritability, moodiness, sadness, hopelessness;
• Inability to sleep or wanting to sleep all the time;
• Loss of appetite or overeating.
Although it may not seem like it, you have more control than you might think. In fact, the simple realization that you are in control of your life is the basis of effective stress management. There are many things you can do right now to make yourself feel better.
Spin it
Replace negative thoughts with positive ones because your thoughts determine your attitude and the way you respond to any situation. Replace “I can’t” with “I can do this one step at a time.”
Plan Ahead
Poor time management is a source of stress. You might end up with too much on your plate if you do not plan your time well. Writing a to-do list that allows you to schedule your activities well in advance will help you to identify potential sources of stress.
Move it
Experts believe that motion creates positive emotion. Exercise lifts your spirits by reducing stress hormones and producing endorphins. These are the body’s natural painkilling and mood lifting hormones. Improving your fitness level improves your self-confidence too. This will then give you the energy and vigour to deal with life’s challenges. So go ahead! Even a ten-minute walk will make a difference!
Get Connected
When you are feeling down, the last thing you may feel like doing is being around people. However, that may only serve to distance yourself from a solution to your problem. Confiding in someone you trust may give you alternative ways of handling your problem. This will immediately relieve you of some stress.
You can also connect with people by offering your help to others. Research has shown that helping someone else in need may be just what you need to lift your spirits. This works wonders because firstly, you feel empowered as you realise you can help someone else despite your own problems. Secondly, it certainly takes your mind off your own stressors.
Take a Break
Taking your mind off the problem for a short while provides you with a muchneeded rest. You can then return to the problem feeling refreshed and hopefully with a fresh perspective. So do something rewarding such as reading a book, listening to music or even cooking for your loved ones!
Have Some Fun
Laugh a little. See the lighter side of things and realise that your problems may not be all that bad. A rollicking laugh relieves tension and loosens the muscles. It causes blood to flow to the heart and brain. More importantly, laughter suppresses stress hormones such as cortisol and boosts endorphins, the same health-enhancing hormones that are released after a good workout. So is it any wonder that laughter is touted as the best medicine?
Stress is a reality of life, and believe it or not, it is not always a bad thing. A manageable amount of stress keeps us on our toes. It is amazing how much we can exceed our own limitations when we are under some pressure. The trick is to manage it so that it works for us and not against us. Take a deep breath and relax!