Busy lifestyles lead many people to experience stress and anxiety on a regular basis. Stress is a natural reaction by the body to situations in life. It is both a physical and psychological response. According to the Mayo Clinic, a person in a constant state of stress may experience serious medical effects such as high blood pressure, sleep disruptions and heart disease.
Identify Causes
Identifying the root cause of the stress or anxiety helps you manage it. Determine the situations, people or events that cause the distressing situations or cause you anxiety. If possible, avoid as many of the stressors as possible. For example, if driving on the freeway during rush hour causes you anxiety, try taking the train or bus. Other stressors aren't as easy to avoid. Family, work and financial difficulties are a few examples. Cutting back your list of commitments, particularly those that cause the most stress, can help you deal with other stressful situations more easily. Dealing with a meddling mother-in-law is more manageable when you aren't also juggling multiple stressful situations in other areas of your life.
Hobbies
Engaging in your hobbies offers a break from the stress and anxiety of everyday life. For busy individuals and families, hobbies often get pushed aside or left behind completely. Schedule time in your week to enjoy your hobby, whether it's cycling, scrapbooking or fishing. The quality hobby time refreshes your outlook and equips you to better tackle your responsibilities. Taking some time to yourself can sometimes make you more efficient when you get back to your work.
Improve Health
Improving your health helps you better manage stress and anxiety. Exercising offers a way to work out some of your stress while improving your health. Exercise increases endorphins, which makes you feel happier. Physical activity can also increase your self-confidence, which allows you to better control your life and individual situations. A healthy diet provides your body with the energy it needs to deal with stressful situations as they arise. Getting enough sleep keeps your mind clear so you can better handle stress.
Breathing & Visualization
Deep, slow breathing helps the body relax during stressful situations. Give yourself a time out before you react to the stressor. Take a few moments to inhale deeply, making your stomach expand. Exhale the air slowly. Stretching, repeating a mantra or visualizing a peaceful scene may work better for some people during the time out. These techniques help your body relax so you can deal with the stressor calmly.
