Throughout everyone’s lives, there are occasionally stressful situations, whether they are small or big. Everyone needs to know how to effectively manage stressful situations because stress can feel overwhelming at times. During stressful times, your body enters “fight or flight” mode. Hormones to increase energy and handle the situation are released into the body.
In some instances, stress gives us the push to meet deadlines, solve problems, and stay motivated. In other instances, stress drains our energy, leaving us feeling fatigued, unfocused, and irritated. It is nearly impossible to avoid stress, so today we are exploring different strategies to help you manage everyday stress.
All Work, No Play Equals More Stress
Instead of making your life all about the tasks you have to complete and your responsibilities, you can make time for activities that you enjoy. When you prioritise relaxation time, this helps to reduce stress. Whether you enjoy playing music, jogging in the park, or spending quality time with your loved ones, you should take the time to reduce your stress with some fun activities. Sparing just a few minutes can make a significant difference in your mood and your stress levels.
Create a Planner
There are times when going with the flow may be fun, but there are other instances when you feel stressed from having many tasks that pile up. To prevent this from happening, you can have a solid plan for how your day will be. While things may not always go according to plan, having a daily schedule to break down tasks can help you to include time for relaxation. Using a calendar, planner, or digital app can help you complete all your tasks on time, allowing you to effectively manage your time.
Don’t Forget The Plan
If you are new at planning your day, you may feel tempted to break your schedule, thinking it won’t change much. However, everything will be thrown off schedule, and you might start rushing to complete tasks on time. It is best to follow your planner so that it works effectively. You can practice reviewing your planner daily and check off the tasks you complete. To stay on top of things, you can prepare for deadlines.
When It’s Too Much, Ask For Help
Don’t be overly concerned about independently completing overwhelming tasks. When struggling with a task, it is best to ask for assistance from classmates, friends, family members, and colleagues. Seeking help right away helps to eliminate wasted time, which may lead to tasks being completed late. Additionally, do not hesitate to partner with someone if you tend to procrastinate when working alone.
Don’t Let Stress Win
Sometimes stress can feel paralysing because your motivation dissipates, resulting in you procrastinating. Instead of allowing stress to hurt you, use the stress to motivate you to start working on the task. You can break your tasks into smaller milestones, which can help you feel confident. Say motivational words out loud to encourage yourself to keep going and remain focused on the goal you have set.
Don’t Put Off Until Tomorrow What You Can Do Today
One of the most common reasons why you may feel stressed when thinking about all the things you have to do is if you allow them to pile up. It is best to complete the tasks as soon as they arise. It is easy to ignore one task for later and then another, but doing so typically leads to more stress. Complete all the tasks you have at hand as soon as possible so that the issue does not escalate, and seek assistance if you are unsure how to manage the task.
