It’s safe to say everyone has their fair share of stressful days, weeks or months. When going through these stressful periods, it can seem like the end is out of reach. Instead of wishing away the stress and waiting for difficult times to pass, we’ve found there are things you can do to thrive under stress.
Personally, I find I’m under the most stress when things keep piling up on my plate. It’s both a blessing and a curse that I have a hard time saying no, so I often take on more than I can handle. These 7 things usually help me get through whatever stressful patch I’m having.
1. Set time aside for you
When you have a lot going on, it can be it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself and spend time doing things for you. I’ve found it so important to set aside some “me time” in order to keep everything on track. You can’t give everything your all if your all is running at 50%.
2. Try your best to notice your mood
If you catch yourself starting to get snappy or short with others around you, it may be time to take a step back and reflect on your actions. It’s not worth the inevitable explosion or anger that may happen if you keep letting your bad mood fester. Notice your mood and keep an eye on how you feel – this prevents a burst of frustration because you’re being reflective rather than impulsive.
3. Accept help
You. Are. Not. Invincible. It’s 100% okay to ask for and accept help. Asking for help is not a weakness; it’s a sign that you’ve recognised you’re overwhelmed and you need assistance from those around you. Never be ashamed to ask for that lending hand.
4. But… Don’t push your stress onto other people
Sometimes it seems like the easiest thing to do to push some of your stress onto others around you. Whether you mean to do it or not, it sometimes just happens unintentionally. It’s important to maintain boundaries of what you expect from people, especially when you’re in a difficult mood because this can inevitably impact others.
5. Find something to look forward to
Whether this is ordering something you really want online and waiting for it to arrive, organising a summer trip abroad or planning a dinner with your best friends, having something to look forward to always helps to push you through the hardest of times. It reminds you that things can, and will, look up.
6. Let it out
Don’t keep everything bottled in. Whether it’s talking to someone, channeling your emotions into something creative or heading to the gym to exercise, it’s useful to have an outlet. Talking to someone, like a close friend or family member, helps relieve some of the stress and tension you may be feeling at the moment.
7. Treat yourself!
Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’ve accomplished 3 things on your to-do list but you still have 4 things to finish? Great! Don’t focus on the things that you haven’t managed to do and instead, reward yourself with something. It doesn’t have to be big, but just something that gives you enough momentum to keep going and crossing things off that list. You’ve got this.
