How to Reduce Stress – Take Charge of Your Life

There is a school of thought that believes that we live in concentric circles, going round and round.

The circle at the centre represents our goals.

When an individual makes a decision they step from one circle onto another, advancing toward the centre. There are many circles to traverse. Some may take longer than others.

By reading this article you have just taken a very important step toward your goal, simply – How to Reduce Stress

How to Reduce Stress Under Pressure?

You have hormones in your body that are released to enable you to deal with pressurized situations, sometimes referred to as fight or flight response .

Once the threat has passed, your hormones will usually return to normal.

Do you feel you are constantly in fight or fight mode? Do you feel anxious; have issues, or problems balancing your self-esteem?

Is everyday life an obstacle course of challenges?

So, What’s wrong with me? How do I tackle it?

It’s called stress. It’s not an illness, but this invisible affliction can cause some damage, especially at work.

With a few simple techniques you can break the cycle, recognize the signs and step away from the triggers of stress.

If every journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, you have just taken that step.

To Reduce Stress, Bring on the ZZZ’s

Let’s face it; if we don’t get enough sleep, then we won’t be in performance mode for work the next day.

You prepare for a good day by getting a well-earned rest, so why not do it properly. Pamper yourself. Give your body a treat.

A warming drink or a glass of milk and already you are informing your body to wind down.

Comfortable PJ’s, maybe even a bathrobe. Lower the lights. Get snugly with a book, but make it a note book and write all the stuff that’s bothering you. Don’t write a novel, but get most of your concerns down on one page.

This gets the unconscious to work way before you do. And as you prepare for sleep your physical self relaxes knowing everything is in hand.

Had Enough Sleep? Your body knows how to reduce stress

Note to self: if your alarm clock wakes you up, take a tip, you’re not getting enough sleep. When a person has enough sleep, they wake up before the alarm. Tomorrow night, go to bed earlier.

Smile and the whole world is a happy place

This may take some practice but it’s easy and free: Smile when you wake up. Greet your loved ones with a smile in the morning.

Such a small facial expression can change everything.

Smile at people on the train to work. Smile when someone opens the door for you. Do not be perturbed if people don’t return your smile, but have another little smile when they do.

Have a Sumptuous Breakfast to Reduce Stress

Breakfast means just that: breaking your fast of several hours without food. It is strange how many people skip breakfast.

Sustenance is crucial to your body in the morning. By eating well at breakfast performance is improved and energy levels are higher.

A good breakfast will power you through to lunch.

A bad breakfast will leave you feeling distracted, irritable and craving poor quality substitutes.

Note to self: There is a reason why people eat porridge. Foods rich in carbohydrates like oats maintain levels of serotonin, the chemical that has stress-relief properties.

Good, Now let’s go to work!

Now you are at work and as usual you have people clawing you for answers. Take a moment to yourself and identify what it is at work you do well.

Recognize the input you have and give yourself a pat on the back. Then, the next time someone asks you do a task you don’t have time for, politely say no. It won’t hurt as much as you think.

There are several ways to say no:

1. Sorry, I can’t schedule this for today  (I’m just too busy)
2. Please come back and discuss this in the morning. (It’s no now, but yes tomorrow)
3. I don’t have time, but I can show you how. (It’s your job. You should do it.)

Say it loud, say it proud

Note to self: Saying no may make you unpopular in the short term, but in the long term it will become a valuable asset.

At lunch time pick up the phone. Arrange some physical exercise. Mountain biking is a lot of fun; but not necessarily in terms of aerobic exercise.

Firstly you get a lot of sunshine (vitamin D), fresh air is obligatory and usually you will be amongst nature with friends.

These are all big stress release tools. If that does not suit, try picking up the tennis racket again. Testosterone keeps you motivated.

Don’t Forget to Breathe

Breathing is the simplest tool in your kit for relieving stress. Shut the office door, close your eyes for five minutes and focus on your breath. Do not think of this as meditation, just oxygenating your body.

Bullets:

• Eat and drink sensibly. Diet plays an important part in relieving stress.
• Maintain friendships: Just listening and talking to friends can make a huge difference, so make sure you devote time to nurturing your friendships.
• Exercise. The effects are immediate and uplifting. Exercise should be fun and sociable.
• Sleep works both physically and mentally, renewing energy both physically and mentally.
• A problem shared is a problem aired and is a top stress-buster. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from a friend, family member or from a professional.
• Take time out to do something for you and only for you, whatever your hobbies and interests, invest in some you-time.
• Your life does not have to revolve around work. Really. Nothing is more important than your health so take it easy.

Note to self: Time management involves setting your priorities in accordance to your goals. That includes allotting time for the things that matter.

Physical conditioning means preparing your body to cope with your daily schedule. Have the right amount of sleep, take the right kind of exercise and eat the right foods. Once every so often learn to say the word NO and don’t forget to smile.

How do you reduce stress?

Reducing stress basically starts with taking charge of your life. But is it easy? No, certainly but starting small and trying to incorporate every step into your lifestyle will put you on the right path. Do you agree? Do you follow any other methods?

Let me know in the comments section below!

Article source : http://beingchirpy.com/how-to-reduce-stress/