Stress is an inner state of tension created when you perceive a present or future threat to your physical or emotional well-being. It is the mind's natural attempt to reconcile conflict. Left unresolved, however, stress can eventually wear down the body, leading to illness and mental disorder. A few simple strategies can help you prevent anxiety and keep from becoming overwhelmed in stressful situations.
Silly Sounds
To momentarily lighten feelings of tension, exhale fully through your mouth while flapping your lips and cheeks like a horse. This motion relaxes the muscles in your face, which will affect stress levels throughout the body. If you find yourself under verbal assault, doing this will distract the other party and give you a moment to think or respond.
Make a List
Write down everything that is bothering you. Stress is pent-up emotional energy. Putting your thoughts on paper expresses what you are feeling, so that the energy is released. If the situation you find stressful involves another person, write a letter to him or her. Describe in it all the things you would like that person to know. You don't have to share your letter with that person; just writing down the feelings may be all you need.
Trust Yourself
Place a high value on your own opinion. Anxiety often stems from fear of making a wrong move, or of being criticized by others. Constructive feedback from others can be helpful, but no other person can comprehend your circumstances exactly the way you do. Listen to your inner voice. Realize that we all make mistakes sometimes, and that's okay. The opinion that matters most, after all, is the one you have of yourself.
Get Organized
A cluttered environment can produce a cluttered mind. Filling home or work space with unused objects and incomplete projects consumes mental energy, leaving you drained and stressed. Focusing on a new assignment becomes difficult, because your thoughts are on your undone projects. Prioritize unfinished tasks, and finish them one by one. Throw away items you no longer use. Organizing the environment will help you to structure your thoughts and will lessen your anxiety.
