Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one

Hans Selye

4331097922_7694d187e8_zI think it would be fair to say that a little bit of pressure can be a positive thing. It can, if it is managed successfully, even help you to perform better at something. However, too much pressure or prolonged pressure can lead to stress, which is unhealthy for the mind and body.

Everyone reacts differently to stress, and some people may have a higher threshold than others. Too much stress can often lead to physical, mental and emotional problems. Stress is your body’s way of responding to any kind of demand or pressure. It can be caused by both positive and negative experiences. When faced with a situation that makes you stressed, your body releases chemicals, including cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenalin.

These chemicals give you more energy and strength, which can be a good thing if your stress is caused by physical danger. This, however, can also be a bad thing, if your stress is in response to something emotional and there is no outlet for this extra energy and strength.

If you feel that you are stressed too often then learning how to stress less is going to be positive for your personal wellbeing.

Here are some tips to help you to stress less: 

  1. Manage your mind chatter

One of the best ways to tackle stress is to address your mind chatter. When the subconscious mind is told something by the conscious mind it doesn’t distinguish between what is real and what is artificial. It will believe whatever you tell it. Therefore, if you tell yourself that you are stressed, then you will be.

The danger is sometimes stress can become a habit and you may attach a way of thinking to a certain set of circumstances. For example if you were stressed in a certain situation last time you talk yourself into believing that you will be again so then it become a self fulfilling prophecy. 

  1. Embrace change

One of the things that can really stress people out is change. We can become creatures of habit and we like things to remain the same, as change requires some greater effort initially. However, in an ever-evolving world, change is inevitable and keeping an open and positive mind and focusing on the positive benefits that those changes can bring can only help us to seek out opportunities and personal growth.

  1. Be more assertive

Assertiveness is a great communication skill to develop, especially when we simply do not have enough time on our hands and we have to say no to a request. Also, if you are a passive or aggressive communicator poor communication skills can add to your stress levels.

One of the issues that we have sometimes, especially when we want to be perceived as positive and hardworking, is to say no when we have too much on our plates. However, we have to be realistic for our own sanity. It may be that you are able to do part of something but not all of it. So, before you jump in with a definite yes or no, assess the situation and negotiate a positive win – win outcome for all concerned. 

  1. Develop healthy eating habits

Some people find that stress causes them to snack on sugary, unhealthy foods such as crisps and biscuits. This gives your body a sugar rush followed by a sharp drop in your sugar and energy levels. However, this can make you feel tired or irritable, as well as making it harder for you to concentrate.

A proper balanced diet is clearly essential, both to avoid direct physical stress causes via brain and nervous system, and to reduce stress susceptibility resulting from poor health and condition. Processed foods are not as good for you as fresh natural foods. Look at all the chemicals listed on the packaging to see what you are putting into your body. The rule is simple and inescapable: eat and drink healthily, and avoid excessive intake of toxins, to reduce stress susceptibility and stress itself.

  1. Sleep well

It is common for your sleep patterns to be disturbed when you are feeling stressed. If you are worried about something, it can often be on your mind even when you try to forget about it. This may cause sleepless nights or bad dreams. You may find it difficult getting to sleep or you may wake up a few times during the night. This can also make you tired and groggy the next day, which can make you feel even more stressed. This website provides a good guide for tips on how to sleep better.

In summary

It is really important that we listen to our bodies and not accept speed and stress as the norm in this very busy world that we can find ourselves living in. So take some time to develop some personal strategies that will help you to stress less. 

There is more to life than increasing its speed

Gandhi