Tips For Dealing With Stress

(Here's an article to help your stressful day hopefully feel a little better.  xoxo, Marie)

Ironically, it is sometimes when I have the least to do that I am the most stressed.  Do you feel that way too?  I mean, there are lots of things I have to do, but it's the gaps in between what I've already done and the GINORMOUS pile of things I still have to do that takes my breath away.

For some, that means that you have a panic attack, anxiety attack.

For some you feel very tired and exhausted.  Maybe you have bad dreams about what you are worried about.  Maybe you have bad dreams about seemingly unrelated, but equally terrifying things.

Some people will dive into their work.  Maybe end up frizzled by the end of the day.  Or maybe work energizes you?  That would be a good thing. 

Some people disappear off the social scene.  You won't see any updates on Facebook from them, and they won't be giving you a call anytime soon.  They are seemingly unreachable, locked away in their worries. 

 Some of them are in-your-face exploding.  Maybe it's a cry for help.  Maybe they just want you to give them some space.  At any rate, they are angry and frustrated.

Have you ever tried to eat away your worries before they eat you alive?  I know I have.  Just the other night I ate a whole half sub.  I was so hungry!  I shouldn't have eaten such a big sandwich just before bed though... I know.  And don't even talk to me about chocolate...

It doesn't satisfy though, you know?  All the excuses, hiding, erupting, eating, and working just don't make the worries go away.

So what can you do to make the stress go away?  Here are some tips (and funny pictures to cheer you up):

1. Exercise regularly
   
2. Sleep well
   
3. Eat well
   
4. Learn to relax
   
5. Take a bath
   
6. Get a massage
   
7. Write about it in your journal
   
8. Do some yoga and meditation
   
9. Do things you love
   
10. Avoid negative thinking
    
11. Organize your life
    
12. Find out what is stressing you out
    
13. Stop worrying about things you can't change
    
14. Take responsibility for making your life what you want it to be
    
15. Have a sense of humor
    
16. Be willing to ask for help from friends and loved ones, or be willing to let them help you.
    
17. Stand up for yourself
    
18. Talk to someone you trust about what is bothering you
    
19. Take out your stress on a stress ball or punching bag (not your friends and family)
    
20. Plan an event that you can look forward to
    
21. Be honest about your emotions
    
22. Maintain perspective - maybe it's not as bad as you think
    
23. Chew gum instead of binge eating.
    
24. Get some sun - it can help you feel better.
    
25. Deal with your guilt.  Apologize to someone and heal a relationship so that you can move on.
    
26. Take time to imagine what you would like to be true.  Sometimes imagining helps you to find ways to make it come true.  It also gives you a break from stressful thoughts.
    
27. Keep good boundaries.  Learn to say no to some things so that you don't have too much on your plate at at time.  You can't please everyone; learn to be good to yourself.
    
28. Stop trying to be perfect.  You are human so you are going to make mistakes.  Learn to be kind to yourself and to use mistakes as ways to improve yourself (not beat up yourself).
    
29. Make decisions.
    
30. Don't put things off.  Make a schedule that includes both work and fun activities.
    
31. Delegate to others.  Don't do everything yourself.
    
32. Know when to seek help from a professional.  Sometimes you need help from an expert with an outsider point of view.
    
33. Cut down on alcohol, recreational drugs, and caffeine.  They make it harder to manage your stress effectively.
    
34. Breath.
    

Have a better day  :)

Sources:

Wikihow

Psych Central

Health Canada

 Medical News Today