STRESS MANAGEMENT
Everyone encounters stress during their lives at one point—never-ending bills, demanding schedules, work, and family responsibilities—and that can make stress seem inescapable and uncontrollable. Stress management skills are designed to help a person take control of their lifestyle, thoughts, and emotions and teach them healthy ways to cope with their problems.
Find the Cause
The first step in stress management is identifying your stressors. While this sounds fairly easy—it’s not hard to point to major changes or a lot of work piling up—chronic stress can be complicated, and most people don’t realize how their habits contribute to their stress. Claiming responsibility for the role you play in creating your stress can empower you and give yo the strength to get better.
Strategies for Stress Management
Once you’ve found what causes your stress, focus on what you can control. Developing healthy habits in place of the behaviors you have developed to avoid moving forward, can be helpful in healing. Maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough quality sleep, listening to music, watching a funny movie can ease feelings of stress and help you relax.
Also, you can make a conscious effort to set aside time for ourselves and for relaxation. Alone time can be whatever you need it to be. Some people like doing activities such as tai chi, yoga, or meditation, but you can also treat yourself to something simple, like taking a bubble bath, listening to music, or watching a funny movie.
Finally, don’t feel like you have to solve your stress on your own. Reach out to your family and friends. Whether you need help with a problem or just need someone to listen, find a person who will be there to positively reinforce and support you. If stress becomes chronic, don’t hesitate to seek the help of a therapist.