Dealing with stress in an effective and healthy manner is one of the primary keys to leading a comfortable work and personal life. You may have tried tasks such as exercising and deep breathing to help you deal with stress, but there are many other routes that you may not have considered. Here are 17 useful approaches to help you deal with stress:
- Pacing
When you’re stressed, getting up and moving about can help relieve tension and allow you to think in a more clear and thoughtful manner. Physical activities, in general, can often provide a useful outlet for relieving stress, but pacing is an approach you can use in nearly any environment.
- Cursing
While you should definitely consider leaving the office before letting out any expletives, getting a little loose with your language can let out pent up stress in a healthy, non-harmful way.
- Look at Some Fractals
Studies have shown that images containing fractals allow the brain to focus in a useful way that can allow the mind to calm down, ultimately relieving stress. Try locating a nice snowflake pattern or another fractal poster you can put up in your work or home space.
- Re-conceptualize Your Stress
Try to consider any benefits your stress may be providing you in your situation. If you can learn to work along with your stress you may find that it disappears all of a sudden.
- Eat Stress Relieving Foods
Eggs, dark chocolate and more have been found to have stress relieving properties. Keep some handy stress relief snacks around the office to make your workday more comfortable.
- Save the Venting For Later
Focusing on and ranting about the things that are stressing you out can be helpful for closure, but is counterproductive to curing that stress in the moment. Try and wait till later to vent about your stressful experiences.
- Confront Your Thought Process
Thoughts of the future or present that are negative will lead to stress. Understanding why you are experiencing stress in a situation all comes down to understanding your thought process. Learn how to adjust your thought process away from stressful triggers and scenarios.
- Blow Up a Balloon
Blowing up a balloon forces you to engage in deep breathing, which is one of the tried and true ways to manage stress effectively. Plus it can provide a fun activity to break up your hectic day!
- Have a Stress Relief Plant
A properly kept up plant is pleasing to the eyes and increases the oxygen flow within a room. Having a nice desk plant can help you relieve and prevent stress on a day to day basis.
- Massage Your Ears
Although this suggestion may sound strange, rubbing your ears actually allows endorphins to be released into your body. These helpful endorphins will work towards relieving your stress.
- Rock Out
Heavy metal music, or any other aggressive, fast-paced genre for that matter, can get your blood pumping and entertain you. These qualities can help you relax yourself out of a stressful state. Getting up and moving along with the music will help this approach work even more effectively.
- Work at a Comfortable Pace
When you become overly stressed, it is important that you neither work yourself too hard, or ease up on work too much. Doing either of these will make it difficult for you to continue your work effectively, which will add to your stress levels. Always try to aim for a workload sweet spot that will keep you productive and relaxed.
- Target the Source of Your Stress
Sometimes we become stressed out without really understanding why. Locating the source of your stress will help you deal with getting rid of the factors that made it occur in the first place.
- Tell Yourself Your Accomplishments for the Day
Feeling incompetent or struggling with a task can lead to stress. If you find yourself in this scenario, take a moment to reassure yourself of positive qualities and accomplishments that you bring to the table.
- Unplug Yourself
Computer screens and other tech devices can be difficult to deal with 24/7. If you are feeling your stress level rising try to unplug yourself for a few moments. Having some time to concentrate on your own thoughts will allow you to lower your stress level.
- Sniff an Apple
Certain smells can help release stress levels. The scent of an apple is one example. Keep one around for stressful times. You can always eat the apple as well!