How to Stay Calm When You Know You'll Be Stressed
By: switchandshift.com
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One of the most challenging issues in modern day life is the level of stress we all deal with. Constant connectedness makes it almost impossible to get away from, and of course, we bring our stress into our workplace. Mindfulness is a topic we constantly talk about here on Switch + Shift, and being mindful of your stress is a first step to dealing with it. Here are other things you can do to keep your cool when things get stressful. How to Stay Calm When You Know You'll Be Stressed We are all guilty of succumbing to stress. Whether induced by next weekend's party or an important presentation at work, its effects can be debilitating. But there are ways to keep that stress at bay. What do stress and anxiety look like in the brain? Everyone needs a certain amount of stress to survive -- it's what gets us out of bed in the morning and gives us the adrenaline to succeed. However, stress can become a problem when our bodies experience too much of it.
So, what exactly is going on inside your mind when you feel overwhelmed?
But, more often than not, stress can leave you feeling angry, anxious and scared. Keeping calm in times of trouble. Here are seven techniques to implement when you find yourself face-to-face with a stressful situation. Plan Ahead. Implementing simple "if X happens, I'll do Y," strategies can help you face challenges as they arise. Focus on breathing. Practicing slow, controlled breathing when you feel anxious can help you return to the present moment and lower your stress levels. Exercise. Physical activity stimulates the production of endorphins. Researchers found that just 40 minutes of exercise is enough to dramatically increase your mood. Avoid asking "what if?" The more time you spend worrying about the endless possible outcomes, the longer you will spend fixating on feeling uncomfortable. Try to accept that some questions simply won't have an answer. Focus on the positives. Keep a go-to list of positives in mind so that you can immediately shift your attention towards them when your thoughts are negative. This will not only boost your mood but remind you of everything you can be grateful for. Reject negative self-talk. Identifying and acknowledging any negative thoughts about yourself as merely thoughts and not facts will help release you into a state of calm. Forgive. Nobody is perfect. Holding onto resentment, either towards yourself or towards others, will only add to stress, worry and fear. By learning to acknowledge negativity before releasing yourself from it will enable you to move forward with a clearer head and a lighter heart. Anxiety and stress don't have to prevent you from living and succeeding. In the words of Corrie ten Boom: "Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength -- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength." |
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