You can have a better life if you follow these steps.
Stress is a part of our lives and no matter how strong we may say we are — we’re all exposed to stress, but we don’t have to become infected.
It’s a stealthy problem that can slide into your life and turn it upside down. It can wreck your health, your lifestyle, your relationships and your career.
Stress is a major problem for many people — a hectic, stressful job, an uproar home life, bills to worry about, exams tension and poor habits such as unhealthy eating, smoking and drinking can lead to a pinnacle of stress.
There was a time when I was stuck in a hectic lifestyle and it really began to affect me. Even my doctor and family could notice it. So I made some radical changes.
Changes that assisted me overcome stress
I slept 8 hours. I started exercising more and eating healthier. I avoided processed food and relied on raw vegetables.
It was hectic in the beginning but I didn’t give up. I changed one habit a month, and slowly over the course of a year or two changed a lot of things in my life.
There are ways you can reduce stress and improve the mental state of your mind.
1. Organize your space
Disorganization often leads to stress. Organizing can produce a sense of control in knowing what will happen, that in turn reduces stress.
Working in a messy area can add an unnecessary stress to your day. File away papers and stuff that you don’t need at the moment. Keep your desk a space for work only , not stress.
2. Accept what you cannot change
Don’t stay in the past. Accept what you cannot change and focus on your future.
Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.
3. Exercise regularly
I can’t stress this enough. A while ago when I was suffering from severe depression and stress. It could be seen on my face. Even my doctor said that to me to avoid stress.
Stress solely was the main reason of my facial illness — then I decided to exercise. I ran every morning at 5 to 6 AM did some workout and saw a significant change in my physical and mental state.
After a few months of running and regular exercise, it changed my life — I felt awesome and there was no sign of stress whatsoever.
4. Appreciate the positives in your life.
Change your attitude to think of all the things you have to be grateful for instead of all the things you have to be sorry for.
It sounds clichéd, but focusing your thoughts on positive aspects of your life instead of the stress-driven areas can be good for your physical and mental health.
5. Talk to Someone
Talk to your best friends because they can help you in many situations on how to get over the certain problem. Even sometimes just talking to a close friend or significant other can be the best cure for a stress.
Don’t be scared to reach out to people — seek professional counseling if necessary.
Express your feelings, don’t bottle them up.
Bottling up your feelings creates stress that increases day after day after day. Find a healthy way to let it out.
Write your feelings down and rant on paper. Buy yourself a journal and write down your feelings. As stated, don’t keep your emotions bottled up for too long.
6. Take deep breaths.
Stress raises your heartbeat and your blood pressure that can lead to serious health issues later on in life.
It’s amazing what 3-5 deep breaths can do for yourself. See for yourself; go ahead and try it right now! Breathe in — and out. Repeat 5 times.
Deep breathing releases oxygen into your brain, allowing you to think clearer and calm yourself.
7. Listen to Music
This is a no brainer. If you’re extremely stressed, lay in bed, play your favorite songs as long as you can and close your eyes and focus on only the music. After about 15–30 minutes, you will forget why you were even stressed in the first place. (This is my personal favorite.)
Hopefully, incorporating these routines into your day can help alleviate some stress.
Originally published at medium.com