Ways To Overcome and Cope with Stress
If you’re feeling high levels of stress, you’re not alone. We all cope with stress. We have been living through a pandemic, economic crisis, and tumultuous political landscape all within the last two years. Of course, that can increase levels of stress!
According to research, more than 75 percent of the population say our nation’s future is a significant cause of stress.
However, too much stress can be poisonous to your livelihood. It can negatively impact every aspect of your life from your eating habits to your relationships with others.
Stress can come from your job, finances, relationships, or anything in between. It’s important to identify what’s causing you stress so you can directly address the source.
Here’s how to tell if you’re experiencing high levels of stress:
Irregular sleep schedule
Have you recently been unable to fall asleep because you’re worried about your workload or a stressful event? Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night when intense feelings of worry? An irregular sleep schedule or trouble falling asleep can be a telltale sign of too much stress. Losing sleep is a common symptom of stress.
Regular headaches
If you’re getting more headaches than you typically do, that can be a sign of high stress. Especially if those headaches are severe.
Fluctuating weight
When you lose a lot of weight in a short amount of time, that can be attributed to stress. On the flip side, if you are putting on a lot of weight in a short amount of time, that can also be caused by stress. Keep note if your weight has been fluctuating more than normal.
Feelings of isolation
Do you feel isolated from your friends and families? If you feel stressed about reaching out to your support system or lack a desire to spend time with them, it could be related to stress.
Easily irritable
If you react easily to things that irritate you or make you angry, it could be because you’re feeling extra stressed. A lack of patience coupled with trigger-happy reactions is a common symptom of stress.
Lost interest
Have you lost interest in your hobbies or activities that normally excite you? Stress can ruin activities that normally bring you joy.
Hard time concentrating
If you have a hard time concentrating at work or school and feel an overall lack of motivation, stress could be the culprit.
Worrying
Spending a significant amount of time worrying during the day about projects, finances, or whatever it may be is an indicator of high levels of stress. It is natural for humans to worry, but if it feels overwhelming or like it is happening more often than normal, then it is likely due to stress.
Ways to keep stress at bay:
Exercise
Incorporating 30 minutes of activity during the day can be amazing for stress. Whether it’s taking a walk, practicing yoga, or whatever your preferences for exercise are, it will help calm your mind and give you perspective on the source of your stress.
Journal
Journaling is a great way to get your thoughts on paper without them spiraling first. If you start to feel stressed, writing an entry will not only help you identify your source of stress but could help you mitigate it as well.
Meditate
Meditating for 10 minutes a day is a source of stress relief. Calming your worried mind can have a direct effect on the amount of stress you feel each day. Setting aside 10 minutes each morning to mediate can change the course of your emotions during the day.
Healthy eating
It is a common side effect of stress to overeat or eat too little during the day. However, optimizing your nutrition and nourishing your body can positively impact your stress levels. Coupled with this, drinking enough water during the day will also boost your health.
Art Therapy
Art therapy is a great way to cope with stress. While traditional talk therapy engages the linguistic, logical side of the brain, art therapy engages the parts of the brain specializing in visual and sensory memories.
Balance of work and home life
If you think work is your biggest cause of stress, then try to re-balance your work and home life. Take control of your schedule by setting clear start and end times for your workday. These can be subject to change, but prioritizing being home for dinner or working a strict 8 hours a day can help balance your stress.
Social activities
Hanging out with loved ones or friends regularly can help alleviate some stress. Laughing, conversing, and feeling supported is a great way to put your stress in perspective and find some joy in life again.
Find hobbies
Try out some classes at a community center or join a new exercise club. Finding new hobbies can spark joy and reduce levels of stress.
Have you or someone you love been experiencing high levels of stress? Is stress affecting your way of life? Please reach out to us. Our team of therapists is here to provide support and guidance. We look forward to connecting with you.
