Feeling Overwhelmed? Practical Ways to Manage Stress in Our Busy Lives Today

Understanding Stress and Its Impact

Stress is a feeling where a person cannot cope with specific demands. In today's time, everybody wants to succeed in their careers at an early stage, which leads to overworking and stressing out about even the smallest things. Juggling between work, family, and other commitments can easily cause stress and busyness. However, every person needs to set time aside for themselves to unwind. Not giving time for yourself can affect your mental and physical health.

Learning to Manage Stress

Learning how to manage your stress takes a lot of time and practice, but you can and need to do it.

1- Working Out

Working out regularly has been proven to calm your body and mind. It also helps improve your mood immediately. Focus on setting realistic fitness goals that you won't give up on. Most importantly, be consistent for it to work and show positive results. Some exercise is better than no exercise.

2- Relaxing Your Muscles

Stress leads to tense muscles. You can help loosen muscle tension by:
* Enjoying a massage.
* Taking a hot bath or shower.
* Stretching your body.
* Getting a good night's sleep.

3- Meditate

Meditation is proven to clear out your thoughts and improve your focus. It helps enhance peace, perception, self-concept, and well-being. It helps you achieve a calm and peaceful mind, which for many people is wishful thinking.

4- Deep Breathing

You'll be surprised how much better you will feel once you get good at deep breathing. Stop and take a few deep breaths, and you will feel a lot of pressure off you. Follow these 5 steps:
* Sit in a comfortable position.
* Close your eyes.
* Imagine yourself in a relaxing environment.
* Take a deep breath.
* Do this for 5-10 minutes at a time.

5- Indulge in More Hobbies

You need to make more time for things you love to do or enjoy doing. Try to do at least one thing every day that makes you feel good. It doesn't have to be an hour-long session; it could just be for 15-20 minutes.

6- Eat Well

Eating a well-balanced diet will help you feel better in general. It also helps you get in a better mood. Eat more of those food items that give you energy.

7- Eliminate Your Triggers

Figure out what your biggest cause of stress is. Once you figure it out, try to eliminate it from your life, or at least reduce it. If you can't figure out what causes you stress, try a stress journal. Write down every time you get anxious and see if you can determine a pattern.

Lucky charms.

This is good guidance that the poster tried to give to the readers—very appropriate in today's both office and domestic environment.

Additional Tips for Managing Stress

I would also like to add a few more tips:

1. Incorporate Endurance Exercises
A mere brisk walk or jog will not serve the purpose. While these activities should be done, some form of endurance exercises should also be carried out. You can see some film stars—even though they have crossed 70 years—still look young and perform their jobs better than a young person.

2. Mindful Eating
Food plays a vital role. Try to avoid foods that may lead to an increase in cholesterol levels, blood pressure, etc. A vegetarian meal, fruits, nuts, and vegetable leaves can be beneficial for the body and help decrease stress toxins. Try to take "Sathwik" food and avoid "Rajasa" food.

3. Prayer and Worship
Visit religious places and worship for 5-10 minutes. This is very important as it will ease stress.

4. Engage with Children
Those readers who have little kids at home are very lucky. Playing with them infuses fresh energy in us and reduces stress levels.

5. Spend Time with Friends
Spend time with your best friends, share your thoughts and problems, and listen to theirs.

6. Listen to Music
Listening to music can be a great stress reliever.

7. Family Meals
Try to eat food along with family members.

8. Limit Screen Time
Try to minimize watching TV or using mobile phones at home; instead, talk to your family members (parents, spouse, or children).

9. Evening Routine
Take a bath before supper. Ensure there is a minimum 2-hour interval between supper and going to bed.

10. Disconnect Before Bed
Try to switch off your electronic gadgets at least 1 hour before going to bed.

11. Early Rising
Try to get up early (before sunrise); following the "Brahma muhurtam" is ideal.

12. Avoid Harmful Substances
Try to say goodbye to alcohol, cigarettes, etc.

These are some points that came to my mind while reading the above message, which I have just mentioned here.