How to Manage Stress

Everyone faces stress. It’s just how you deal with it that makes it better or worse for you. Here are some ways you can manage your stress:

Everyone faces stress. It’s just how you deal with it that makes it better or worse for you. Here are some  ways you can manage your stress:

Food

Improper consumption of food could be one of the reasons why your stress levels are up. Try staying away from binge eating and junk foods. Try and eat more salads and fruits. Adopt a healthy food habit.

Alcohol

Don’t think for one second that drinking alcohol is relieving your stress. Sure it relaxes you, takes your mind off things momentarily, but it is not a permanent solution. Avoid alcohol abuse.

How to deal with Burnout

Getting Started: It is vital to start the day with something that lowers your anxiety levels. This is akin to taking an antidepressant early in the day. However, rather than consuming pills, you need to invest time in some form of soothing activity, like a few minutes of yoga or meditation. Combine this with simple things like sipping tea when seated snugly in your balcony or doing a few stretches.

Say no

You don’t have to be a people-pleaser all the time. In fact you don’t have to be one at all. If taking too much work and responsibility is adding to your woes, learn to say no. Tell people you already have too much going on at the moment and can’t take any more work, then be it home or office.

Exercise

Have a regular schedule for exercise. It could be walking, running, skipping, swimming, tennis, anything that is physical in nature and will get your heart running. Exercise releases endorphins that make you feel better. Plus if you are healthier you will be able to cope up with things in a better manner.

Relaxation

Set aside 10-15 min everyday for meditation. The idea is to relax your mind completely. Learn some meditation techniques by reading books on it or by referring the internet. And practise it every day. Even before you go to bed, simply close your eyes, think positive things and go to sleep with a smile on your face.

Plan

Plan your day and life better. Plan for little things. Suppose there’s a meeting coming up, plan for it. Decide what time you want to get there, what you’re going to wear, what you’re going to say – pre-decide everything. Check fuel in your car, air etc. Once you take care of these little things, you will be much more relaxed.

Goals

It’s great to have goals – a millionaire by the time you turn 40. Possible. But when you set goals for yourself make them realistic. Don’t set your goals too high and then stress over it when you can’t reach them.

Let go

There are certain things that are in your control, and certain things that aren’t. If driving in heavy traffic every morning gets you riled up, get a chauffer, or use the public transport or opt for car pooling. You need to learn to let go of things that are beyond your control. If people on the road are honking incessantly or someone is jumping red lights, there’s nothing much you can do about it. By getting angry or stressed about it you will only be boiling your own blood. So chill.Dealing with stress is easy. Make a list of things that are stressing you and eliminate them bit by bit. When you feel you’re getting too stressed, watch a comedy movie and laugh it off. 

Keeping Yourself Energized: Most people suffering from burnout tend to have lower energy levels. A simple way to negate this state of lethargy is consuming a lot of fluids throughout the day. Stay away from the sugar-concentrated drinks. Don’t overdo the coffee bit either. Stick to healthier choices like green tea, nimbu paani, buttermilk and plain water.

Detangle Yourself: Try to set some boundaries. Mostly, Burnout sets-in when you start taking on too much work or start doing too many things that you don’t want to. Just try to give yourself a break from being the person everybody can depend upon. This includes taking a break from counseling depressed friends over the phone or taking on extra work at the office

De-Tech Yourself: Try to reduce your dependency on your gadgets. Many people have an unacknowledged form of anxiety that is mainly due to constant checking of emails or SMS on handheld devices. For a few days, disengage yourself from the habit of staying connected all the time. Less worrying helps to reduce burnout tendencies.

Rediscover Your Hobbies: Indulge in something that you have been ignoring due to a hectic lifestyle. This could be creative things like writing and reading, or doing something more physical like working-out at the gym.

Seek Help: Talk about your state of mind to the people who care about you. There is no shame in admitting that you are going through a low phase and need time to recharge your batteries. This will ensure that people will reduce the pressure on you, at least for a while. This might also mean seeking extra support from your colleagues and family. Don’t hesitate to do so. Help is essentially reciprocal and you shouldn’t mind asking for it, when the chips are down.If things have really gotten out of hand and you have developed serious issues like insomnia or depression, it is time to get counseling. A couple of sessions with a therapist can be very helpful in getting control of the situation

Get Organized: You need to plan-out a recovery phase for yourself. This means taking a sheet of paper and marking-out things that need your attention no matter what, i.e. inescapable responsibilities. Follow this with the kind of chores you can excuse for the time being. Plan the next few weeks in such a way that you set aside at least one hour on a daily basis for doing something you like. This could be something as basic taking a stroll in the garden or jogging to your favorite bakery and digging into your beloved, sweet treats.

Take a Holiday: Taking a vacation is perhaps the best solution to combating a burnout. This could be a family vacation or a travel plan that includes only you, individually exploring new things. The absence of daily chores at work or home will help you.

Address Your Pain: Acknowledging your pain is perhaps the most important aspects of dealing with a Burnout. All of us are prone to suffering from some kind of loss. This includes financial or emotional loss; anything that induces a sense of sorrow. The other type of pain that people tend to carry is repentance. Many times, we aren't able to confess things and they start to weigh on our conscience. Over a period, this begins to deplete our reserves of positive energy. Lastly, you could be suffering from an idealistic loss such as realizing that your career or life isn't progressing according to your ideals or the goals you had established. Whatever might be the reason, try to address and solve such issues and if that is not possible, at least discuss them.A burnout may or may not require professional help, depending upon the severity of the symptoms. However, a serious, burnout episode can be easily prevented by recognizing it before it grips you. Whenever you find yourself frustrated or irrigated without a precise reason and lack of sleep hits you for more than a few days, try to take a break and re-organize yourself.