Stress! Everyone experiences it. One of the greatest but easiest mistakes we make is worrying about what is out of our control. What do my friends think of me? I wish I could take that back! Why do I have to feel this way?! Below is a list of the things that people often do but are damaging to our mental well-being.
What NOT To Do
Ruminating
This refers to the type of thinking that usually spirals into unproductive negative thoughts. It often becomes habitual, but with time and effort, it can be de-habituated.
Losing Sleep
Sleep correlates to our mood, so less sleep equals more irritability and more stress. On top of that, sleep deprivation can cause people to make irrational decisions and more mistakes, further perpetuating anxiety and frustration.
Eating “Junk”
Caffeine crashes or sugar crashes can often disrupt our state of being and often ruin our mood. Eating less nutritious foods can lead to stress, which then can instigate stress eating, which creates an unhealthy cycle that ends in pain.
Overloading Schedules
When life gets hard, it may be common to overload our schedules to distract ourselves from problems. Unfortunately, it may become the cause of more stress with the lack of downtime and feel out of it at times. Learning to say “no” and understanding your own limits and boundaries is key.
Cognitive Distortion
Thinking patterns vary from person to person. Negative patterns of perception can be harmful to one’s mental health because perceived threats can still create worry and stress. Mindset is connected to stress.
Putting Off Exercise
Multiple studies have proven the benefits of exercise on the physical and mental. It may be the last thing you want to do when you’re stressed, but push yourself to get up and move! It only takes 5 seconds and one push to start moving.
Negativity
Negative thoughts often stem from the unknown and thinking we’re out of control. Surprisingly, feeling out of control is often exaggerated in our heads. Realizing hope can make us more optimistic and less stressed.
Ignoring the Stress
Have you ever ignored the stress until it got too much, and you just exploded on someone unrelated to the problem? Stress management is a journey but one that is worth the time! Having a coping mechanism to deal with early stages of stress can mitigate explosions down the line.
Instant Joy
Sometimes you need instant relief to take your mind off the stressors in life. Music can be a great stress reliever, changing one’s mood in an instant. Music therapy is a proven method of therapy, so its benefits are statistically apparent. Different music can evoke different emotions in people, but upbeat music generally brings about positive vibes and brightens one’s mood.
“Laughter is the best medicine.” It’s an overused phrase, but it has a factual basis to it. Researchers have found that laughter not only lifts mood but also increases immunity and prolongs life. So the next time you’re stressed, find something fun to do, and get a good laugh out!
By taking the time to read this article, you’re already stopping #8 from happening: you have recognized that you’re stressed. This is ultimately the first step to taking better care of your stress.
Writer: Isara Moriya
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This is a must read for everyone.
Nice write up Isara...👍
This is a must read for everyone.
Nice write up Isara...👍