Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can be a different experience for everyone. What stresses you out may not even bother your friends or the people around you. Stress is not only caused by big important event. It might be a build-up of a lot of smaller things as well, such as:

• Losing your job
• Working too hard
• Financial issues
• Being bullied, discriminated, hate or abuse
• Difficulty in school
• Having issues in marriage or relationship
• Death of a family member
• Chronic illness or injury
• Having overwhelming responsibilities
• Going through a period of uncertainty
• Lack control over the outcome of a situation

Many causes of stress may have negative impact on our health, including our mental health. We will feel depressed, anxious and easily irritated if we are constantly in stress and unable to be at peace or stay calm every time.

Despite knowing how stress will affect our health, we will not able to avoid stress completely in our daily life. Therefore we should learn how to manage them.

Stress management

The pace and challenges of modern life make stress management or stress relief necessary for everyone. Dealing with stress is a very personal matter and it may be harder for some people such as those suffering from long-term health conditions and those experiencing poverty and debt issues. Although it may seem like there is not much we can do when facing with stressful situations, there are always steps that we can take to relieve the pressure and regain control.

Taking care of our well-being will help us to cope and manage our stress better. We need to try and find some time to relax, allowing ourselves to have a short break and develop some interests and hobbies. Spending time doing the things we like will distract us from stressful situations and this will benefit our mental health even just for a short while. We also need to look out for our physical health such as exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep.

Identifying your stress trigger will also help you to manage your stress more efficiently. Some situations may come up often while some are just your worries or fear, due to past experience that it might happen again. Although we cannot avoid some of the stress triggers, it is always good to be prepared and find ways to deal with them.

Poor time management can also cause a lot of stress. Time plays a very important role in stress management. Many times we feel that we have so many things to complete with so little time. This will leave us feeling overwhelmed. It is good to learn how to manage our time and prioritize our tasks and commitments. We can make a list of things that we need to complete, and arrange them in order of importance. Try to complete and focus on the things that are most urgent. Creating a timetable will be most useful in these situations as good time management can help you reduce stress.

In some cases, it might not be possible to say no to things but get rid of commitments that aren’t important will help to a certain extent. However, if you still have too much to complete, try and set smaller and achievable targets within a reasonable time. This will make us feel more in control and fulfilled. In certain circumstances you may consider asking another person for help so that you have extra time to complete other tasks.

Relaxation techniques are essential in stress management. Relaxation technique such as deep breathing, tai chi, yoga, meditation techniques, and mindfulness helps to slow our breathing, clear our mind and focus on the present. Taking a short walk amongst the nature or exercising can also help relieve your stress.

Why is stress management important

Overtime, chronic stress can lead to serious health problems, and some people might turn to substance abuse such as alcohol or drugs to manage their stress. If you are having trouble managing stress despite all the above, it is always a good idea to talk to someone such as your friends and family. Sharing your feelings to the people close to you can make you feel better, and release your stress. However, if your stress get worse over time, it is best to talk to a specialist or a counsellor who can help with your condition.

Seeking help to manage your stress will help lessen damages to your health, and at the same time, improve your relationships and quality of life. So try and address your stress issues as soon as possible, to avoid unnecessary health-related issues. Stress management is very important, at your workplace as well as at home.

Reference

1. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, April 8). Stress management stress relief. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved April 28, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/basics/stress-relief/hlv-20049495
2. Causes of stress. Mind. (n.d.). Retrieved April 28, 2022, from https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/stress/causes-of-stress/