Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Habits
• Method 2 of 2: Perspective

Sometimes stress seems like something we must accept unconditionally. To be ahead of everyone on this day, in this place we must run, run, run. Unfortunately, this is bad for our health - mental and physical. Follow these tips to learn how to manage stress and be more productive.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Habits

1. 1 Eat healthy foods. A full body will better cope with all adversity. Start your day with a healthy breakfast and eat small, nutritious meals throughout the day to keep you energized.
   • Stress affects appetite, which leads to overeating or malnutrition. Pay attention at this point if you are having problems with this.
2. 2 Get enough sleep. When we sleep 7-8 hours a day, dealing with current problems is much easier. Lack of sleep makes us less patient and easily irritated, which only exacerbates stress. A good night - rest is the basis for a good day, and a good day is the prologue to a good night.
   • If falling asleep is problematic, evaluate why. Noise? Light? Crazy schedule? What can you change to make falling asleep easier?
3. 3 Get exercise. Yoga, aerobics, and walking around the block after dinner can help relieve stress, but don't overdo it if you're out of shape. This is the start of a long journey towards managing stress and your health.
   • Exercise is good for the mind, body, and spirit. Not only do they improve overall health, but they also have a good effect on your sense of well-being by boosting your endorphin levels. And it can seriously improve your mood. Oddly enough, this is similar to the calming effect of meditation.
4. 4 Watch your bad habits. A person tries to cope with stress in all ways available to him. However, some of these methods will not solve your problems. Be careful, ask your friends to look after you.
   • If you smoke a lot, drink too much alcohol, or overeat (to name just a few examples), stress can be a factor. These addictions seem to ease stress, but things will only get worse in the long run. Take an honest look at your habits.
5. 5 Take time out. Parenting yourself should be your priority if you are trying to reduce the impact of stress on your life. Solving life's problems in a bad shape is not a good idea, so take the time to just relax.
   • Try to set aside at least 10 minutes a day for yourself. It can be in bed, on a yoga mat, or just in an office chair. Wherever you can, shutting yourself off from everyone, relax, just to be in peace and quiet.
6. 6 Practice relaxation techniques. This may sound a little silly, but the body works in tandem with the brain, so changes in one lead to changes in the other. Yoga, meditation, deep breathing will relax your body. Once you get into the habit of relaxing techniques, you will feel a reduction in your daily stress levels. And when you run into serious problems, you can deal with them more calmly and effectively.
7. 7 Deal with stress. When stress comes, getting rid of it is not easy. You have to figure out a way to deal with it. In general, there are four ways to think about it correctly:
   • avoid stress factor;
   • change the stress factor;
   • adapt to a stress factor;
   • accept the stress factor.
     • This will help you sort out your thoughts. Which one is the most feasible for you? How can you accomplish one of them?
   SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

   

   Chloe Carmichael, PhD

   
   
   Licensed Clinical Psychologist Chloe Carmichael, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in New York City. He has over 10 years of experience in psychological counseling, specializing in relationship problems, stress management, self-esteem work and career coaching.She also taught courses at Long Island University and worked as a freelance faculty member at the City University of New York. She received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University and completed clinical practice at Lenox Hill and Kings County Hospitals. Accredited by the American Psychological Association and is the author of Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of Your Anxiety.

   Chloe Carmichael, PhD
   Licensed Clinical Psychologist

   Examine the situation to decide if you need to accept or change it. Dr. Chloe Carmichael, a licensed clinical psychologist, says: “If you feel stressed, it’s either a sign that you need to learn to cope better or that you need to act to make a difference. For example, no amount of coping skills will help you against a tyrant boss, so the healthiest response is to focus on finding a new job. On the other hand, if your boss just rarely speaks positively about your work, you can try asking him to explain what is expected of you. "

   
   
8. 8 Find support. Family, friends, and your social environment all have a big impact on how you deal with stress. Having a group of people you can lean on will help you maintain your mental health. Support can be expressed in something more specific, like time or money. Asking for help can be tricky, but it doesn't make you weak in any way. When stressed, seek support:
   • family and close friends;
   • from colleagues or friends who share your hobbies, hobbies;
   • a psychotherapist;
   • from a spiritual mentor;
   • in a program to help employees at work or in a stress management class;
   • in a psychological support group.

Method 2 of 2: Perspective

1. 1 Find purpose and balance. Many people, when they find meaning in work (whatever it is), find that it balances them. Working without a goal is not very convenient for most people. Find what drives you and focus on that.
   • Once you understand this, you can change your habits. Anything extraneous that distracts you from this goal will be discarded.
2. 2 Practice positive thinking. This is not a black and white world where thoughts precede behavior and vice versa. However, regardless of your type of thinking, use the following methods:
   • If you can't always think positively, try to manipulate your behavior. You don't have to really think about something, but act like you do. You will soon find that your mind follows your actions. Try walking with your head down. How are you feeling? Now raise your head. And now?
   • If you have problems with positive behavior, train your thoughts. Stop negative thoughts. Believe me - it's in your power! You are the only person who can stop your negative thoughts. Take advantage of this and replace them with positive ones (or at least neutral ones!).
3. 3 Be straightforward. Many people experience stress as a result of situations that could have been avoided by speaking directly. Maybe other people (who are the source of stress) just don't know what makes you nervous. Talk to them.
   • Your happiness is at stake here. Whatever the problem that bothers you is worth talking about. Your emotions are worth it.
4. 4 Be prepared to say no. Those who please everyone are easily stressed, but it is impossible to please everyone. So don't over-promise to avoid over-commitment. You will have more free time that you can devote to yourself.
   • If rejection is difficult, practice saying no at least once a week. Just cut back on activities that make you sacrifice your free time.
5. 5 Stop striving for excellence. We often work hard to get the best results, but one thing to keep in mind is that sometimes we need to stop on time when the job is done well enough. Criticism is in our blood, and sometimes in the most perfect creation a person is able to discern something imperfect. So it is not at all necessary to bring everything to perfection to become another source of criticism.
   • Set a time frame for your perfectionism. This is where the search for balance comes into play. If you manage your time wisely, you will have more opportunities for relaxation.