We’ve all heard about the ill effects of stress and how it’s necessary to do some stress-busting if you’re going to live a happy life. But if we’re all so self-aware, then how come we still get stressed out, depressed, unmotivated and unhappy? It’s because we need constant reminders about how to beat stress. At least this is what Dale Carnegie says in his book, How to Stop Worrying and Start Living. According to Carnegie, “the rapidity with which we forget is astonishing.” So here are a few reminders about how to avoid stress:
- Take Deep Breaths: When something happens to upset you or just stress you out, take a few deep breaths and you’ll find that you’re thinking more clearly again.
- Walk: Taking a walk, even a short one, can help you to feel less stressed out. It’s even better if you can find a shady lane to walk in where you are surrounded by nature.
- Talk It Out: Talking about what’s stressing you out can help you to find a solution or at least get all the negativity out of your system. Try talking to a therapist or a friend.
- Write It Out: Just as you can talk about what’s stressing you out, you can also write about it. You don’t have to be extremely creative and write a poem or short story. Just write “I feel…” and then finish the sentence. Write a paragraph or two like this.
- Put Yourself in the Other Person’s Place: If another person is the source of your stress, try putting yourself in their place to understand what they may be thinking.
- Slow Down: Often, stress is the result of doing things fast or trying to do a few things at the same time. Not only is this too much stress on your brain, it can also be destructive at times, such as when you’re texting and driving.
- Acknowledge Your Feelings: Sometimes, you get stressed out because you’re trying to push your feelings away. Instead, acknowledge them and give them their due. There’s always a reason why people feel what they feel.
Print out this list of things you can do to deal with stress and keep it at your desk so that it serves as a gentle reminder.