Is it even possible? To be able to manage stress every day in our lives, or before they even come?
If you ever wondered whether quick fixes work better as they’re usually easier, you might want to reconsider and look for long-term changes as well, as working on both ends has better chances of helping you live a good life.
FACT: STRESS IS, AND WILL ALWAYS BE PART OF OUR LIVES.
Yes, it’s part of us, and part of what biologically makes us. It’s a biological reaction we can never lock out. It’s been there and always comes knocking when we cannot meet life’s current demands.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
Instead of trying to get rid of the stress in our system, because it literally won’t ever happen, we just have to learn to “keep” the stress levels at “NORMAL LEVEL”.
The stress that we feel only happens when our stress levels are above what our bodies naturally need.
SO HOW DO WE KEEP OUR STRESS LEVELS NORMAL?
From my own experience of tragic deaths happening together with work overload and life overload in general, the days when I was lost… and as a Certified Stress Strategist and a Doctor, here are the things that can really help you:
1. THE HERE AND NOW
“What does that even mean?”
The Here and Now is a skill really helpful to use during raging stress levels. It simply means keeping your focus “at the very moment” you’re in, like instead of thinking the what ifs after the fact, you just pause, take deep breaths, and take a good look at WHERE YOU’RE AT.
Doing so prevents you from having anxiety or panic attacks.
Some people have this naturally within them, but to some, it takes a lot of practice.
Starting slowly with daily practice of 3-5 minutes of mini-meditation or breathing exercises, and then slowly increasing the time to 10 minutes and so on, helps.
2. THE LONG TERM
Focusing on the here and now is what can help you the moment you’re experiencing stress. But when you have calmed down, you must also get to the “root cause” of your stress.
What triggered you? What stressed you out? Is there something you can do about it to change it? Are there necessary changes you can make in order to avoid the trigger long-term, or forever if it can be controlled?
Getting to the root cause or the trigger, and making changes so that the trigger doesn’t often happen, will help you avoid the same experience again.
THE LONG-TERM TOOLKIT
As I mentioned stress is and will always be part of our lives, I also have seen a pattern and the 3 things that matter in your long-term toolkit.
- Mindset: Are you mentally prepared to make the changes you need to make? Because if you’re not, you won’t act on it.
- Energy: One key thing in preventing attacks is living healthy, as it’s a good source of energy. We know how draining it is for our energy to deal with stress.
- Your External Platform: You have a world outside your body, and it matters in the long term. Keep good acquaintances, those that are mentally and emotionally healthy for you, not an additional cause of stress.
WHAT THE NEUROSCIENCE SAYS
Neuroscience is clear: We are wired to be mono-taskers, Our brain cannot effectively concentrate on more than one thought at a time, and it better be an active thought by you than an amygdala hijack moment. After that micro-rest, you will feel calmer and more effective.
Hence, the here and now or the “at the moment” actions mentioned above, as it helps in resting your brain from your problem for a few seconds..
And it doesn’t even cost a penny! You just have to see the clearer, bigger picture – then when calm enough, tackle the root cause.
And don’t forget about…
INCREASING YOUR ENERGY
Increasing your energy, or raising your potential capacity is necessary because with more energy, you’ll be able to do more without getting stressed.
But if it’s just too much…
Don’t forget the practical tips too, such as:
- Delegating tasks/outsourcing
- Sleeping, eating, & exercising for health and happy hormones
SOUNDS ALL EASY, UNTIL YOU NEED TO ACTUALLY DO THEM
It all sounds so easy, doesn’t it? But then why is it hard to do it consistently?
BONUS
Try journaling.
Yes, maybe play some music in the background and just start writing things down.
Writing helps you to be able to reflect more, plan more, and even release more.
Jotting down things that stress you out, your goals, where you’re currently at, your action plan, and your emotions…
All help in coming up with better implementation!
Start with baby steps and start your journey to managing stress for a lifetime!
To winning against stress,
