Stress and how to deal with it

I will start by telling you the frog story. The frog is placed in a pot in which there is cold water just getting to boil. The water is slowly approaching a boil but the frog is not aware of anything. The water has reached an unbearable heat, at this point, it was too late for the frog to survive.
This is a similar case to so many people who slowly accept pressures until they cannot cope anymore with it!

In 2017, reports have shown that 83 % of US workers suffer from work-related stress. The numbers are really alarming and frightening. 

How can we notice stress before it is too late and how can we prevent it ?

Here are some stress management tips to use religiously to avoid the side effects of stress.

    1. Understand your stress

You should have a clear idea about your stress, how does it look like for you, do you become angry irritated, nervous or anxious… When you know your stress, it can be easy to fix it. Knowing the symptoms is essential.

    2. keep a stress diary

Keep a journal, and try to write down whenever you feel overwhelmed, try to identify the source of your discomfort; it could be work, family or any other potential trigger. Make sure to rate your mood and your happiness state. The journal will help you to recognize your potential stress triggers, in case you can avoid it or try to calm yourself down by using, some stress management strategies.  

    3. Reduce the noise

After a busy day at work, you need to come home and recharge for your next day. Make time for quietness each day, switch off all the technology and screen time. It will help you to slow do. 

   4. Diet & Exercise

We always hear that proper nutrition and regular physical activity is very important for a balanced life. Well, guess what! It is very true. Only by making simple changes into your diet, you can already feel the difference in your body and mind. Reduce your alcohol, sugar, and caffeine intake; your anxiety level will decrease significantly. Move your body, choose any physical activity and try to make it a habit.

   5. Talk it out
Verbalizing your pain is one step closer to healing, sharing your worries with someone else can help lessen the weight off your shoulders. If you are not feeling ready to talk with someone about it, you can just write what's bothering you on a piece of paper, and let it out.

   6. Sleep
Get uninterrupted sleep is very useful and help us reduce our stress levels. Try to go to bed before midnight, and get away from all devices at least 2 hours before you go to sleep. Because the blue light coming from screen devices affects our circadian rhythm balance, and it disrupts the production of melatonin (sleep-inducing hormone).

   7. Learn how to relax
Find time for yourself when you can relax. You can sit and meditate using a guided meditation video on youtube, or you can immerse in an activity that you like such as painting, reading, cooking or doing yoga, the key element here is to try to use all of your sense and keep your mind in that activity without thinking of your stressful life, disconnect completely.

You should be able to recognize the signs of your stress, the multiple headaches, stomach aches, and the racing heartbeats... all these signs are ways your body use so that we can take action towards stress. So please listen to your body, identify your stressors and use one of the stress management tips listed above, or do your own research and figure out what works the most for you. Do not ignore the signs! Be healthy and Happy