The importance of stress management and the most effective ways to remove stress!
"Stress can destroy much more than just our physical health. Too often it eats away at our hope, belief, and faith"
- Charles Glassman - M.D, The NY Center for Longevity and Wellness
How does stress work?
Imagine I ask you to hold a glass of water. Then, I ask you about the weight of the glass. You will, in all probability reply, that it is say around 300 grams.
Now, I ask you to hold the glass for 10-15 minutes. After some time you will surely feel the weight of the glass to be much more than before. You will feel it weighs a ton! Therefore the weight is relative.
This is exactly how stress works....
Initially you may not feel it, but overtime it gains weight and at one point it becomes unbearable. This example beautifully explains why it is important to manage stress. We must never allow the stress to accumulate. Else one day it could go beyond tolerance.
Does it affect only the grown ups?
NO. Stress can be felt by all age groups. In fact, a research conducted by the American Psychological Association revealed the fact that everyone experiences stress. The question was "How much more?" OR "How much less?"
We live in this modern era, and stress has many ways to seep into our system.
What are the benefits of a stress-free life?
According to many clinical researches, the following are the benefits of a stress-free life:
- Increased life span
- Reduced depression
- Prevention of unnecessary energy drain
- Improved memory
- Increased attention span and focus
Everyone should read the following top tips very carefully in order to lead a 'stress-free' life, and experience all the benefits mentioned above.
1. Diet and exercise:
Exercise greatly keeps you cheerful, and rejuvenated. You should exercise for at least 20 - 30 minutes daily. Having a good diet adds to your fitness. Avoid junk food, and do not overeat. I am a teetotaller, but if you consume alcohol, keep the intake under check. Smoking is a big "NO".
2. Follow the principle of 'letting go':
So often you can find yourself engaged in a completely unnecessary argument. Such as "Who is the best actor?" Or "What's the best way to celebrate your birthday?" etc.
Do not make everything an ego issue. Agree to disagree. Everyone has a right to have their own distinct opinion and this is totally normal. Do not try to prove your point on each occasion.
3. Meditation and Yoga:
"You cannot sing and whistle at the same time."
Which means that if you are in a state of relaxation, you cannot feel the stress. Yoga and deep breathing techniques are really a good way to bring peace of mind. You should meditate for 10-15 minutes (depending on your practice and availability of time).
4. Have a good talk:
Remember how the weight of the glass of water felt a ton due to passage of time? It is because you were holding that glass of water all the while. It is therefore strongly advised that you should talk to someone close to you. Your relative, your friend, anyone with whom you get along very well. During this discussion it is quite possible that you will yourself realize how silly some of your apprehensions are. So, open up and TALK!
5. Take good amount of sleep:
Sleep ensures optimum recharging of your body. It is very vital for any individual to sleep for at least 7-8 hours. That is the average. Studies have revealed that your brain performs at a very high level when you get adequate sleep.
6. Cut it at the source:
Sometimes, you know where your stress comes from. You know your habits.
For instance, you often forget to pay your bills on time (before the due-date) and it brings more stress. Such things are easy to stop. Use the technology to set reminders and alerts. Use your cell phones or maintain a small pocket diary. By virtue of this habit, you will finish the important task on time (or maybe even before time). A proper plan will help you cut the stress at source- Planning is important.
Planning is so important that it is said - "Failing to plan is planning to fail"
7. Play games:
You should not underestimate such simple but effective measures. Play with your buddies. Spend time with children. You will notice their exciting world and draw motivation and happiness. You will realize that it is very easy to lead a simple, non-complicated life. After all there is a reason why they say -
"Child is the father of man!"
How to mange stress during tough times such as the COVID-19?
Stress levels can be particularly high during such times. The main reason for that is over-thinking. Often stress is a result of thinking about the future. The future is uncertain, and that creates stress. Our mind becomes diabolical. I want you to affirm this line firmly in your minds -
"Half the things we worry about actually never happen!"
Life is never the same. You should tell yourself that nothing stays forever so this too shall pass.
We live in an era where there is a constant information overload. What is alarming furthermore is that we insist that we should know everything about everything.
No, we don't.
The constant 'breaking news' and 'updates' can be overwhelming. I recommend you seriously do this experiment.
Spend your day as normal and at the end of the day take a pen and paper and jot down all the things that could have been kept out of your life.
- What part of the news was completely irrelevant to your life?
- How you spent almost 2-3 hours worrying about a forwarded message that your received only to learn that it was a fake message?
- How much control did you have about the grief, sadness shown on the television?
- Did you watch the negative news all the while or did you switch to comedy from time to time?
- Did you take out your stress on some loved one?
Believe that things will get better. Have faith that everyone is trying to make the world a better place to live. Acquire warmth in the thought that there are doctors, police officers, pharmacists, scientists, etc. who are working up-to 18 hours every day to find the solution for the unprecedented situation.
In fact, it is during these times that you should take out time to realize true value of things. How you took simple, everyday things for granted. How important simple things are! In short, it's time for some self-reflection or introspection!
Rediscover yourself! Rediscover yourself as a friend, as a family member, as a son/daughter, as a husband/wife, as a dad/mom. Pose questions to yourself as - "How can I adapt to this new world?" "How can I contribute?" "How can I be resourceful?" etc.
We are fortunate that humans have been blessed with the unique ability to be creative and adapt to the changing situations. Yes, human beings are capable of that.
We must accept the fact that the only thing constant in life is change!
Most importantly you can try to help those who are in need. Ensure you feed those you can. Provide money if necessary. Take care of your juniors/employees. Support them.
How should the students deal with this unprecedented situation - COVID-19?
The first thing is to understand and absorb the fact that this COVID-19 is an unprecedented crisis. Nothing of this ilk has happened ever!
Now how should the students come to terms with it?
The main thing is to divide the 24 hours into distinct slots!
8 hours of sleep.
1 hour in exercise, meditation, yoga, getting ready (distributed across the day).
1 hour in dinner/lunch/breakfast time.
5 hours in education (online classes, your H.W).
2 hours of entertainment (TV, films, series, shows)
2 hours in learning a new skill (cooking, writing, languages, musical instruments)
1 hour in everyday chores/routine, or reaching out to people - going out for essential work, etc
2 hours on social networking (calling friends/relatives, Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
2 hours in household help (utensils, brooming, washing clothes, watering the plants, etc.)
(The division mentioned above is a sample. You should make necessary changes)
Do not generalize what you should do with the entire day at your disposal.
- Have faith- the situation will change! The lock-down cannot last forever.
- Use the time at hand as a bonus to revise the topics you thought, you had no time for earlier.
- Acquire new skills. Learn a foreign language, study coding, a new musical instrument even!
- Spend time positively on the social media.
- Share notes with your friends if they missed their classes.
- Improve your own worth by building vocabulary.
- Laugh! Watch humour. "Laughter is the best medicine".
- Plan the things you would do when the world eventually resumes its chores.
- Appreciate the people who were a part of your life and understand their value! The people, your friends, your teachers, etc.
- Appreciate the importance of freedom. The feeling of how it is to live under restrictions.
- Work on your fitness (at home)! Believe me, you have all the time in the world now.
Lastly, keep in mind that -
"Yesterday is a goner so it is called history- Tomorrow is unknown so it is called a mystery- But today is a gift and so it is called present!"
Hope this article added some value. Leave your comments, and tell us what technique/s you used to overcome or reduce your stress. If you had your own unique way, do share that as well.
Stay fit! Stay happy!
Cheers!
