The stress affects many people, and it ‘s no wonder with the lifestyle of Western societies. One of the pioneers in the investigation of this phenomenon was Hans Selye, in the 1950s.
Since then, many experts have contributed more and more knowledge about what stress is and how it occurs, and different models have emerged to help people who suffer it, such as the Karasek and Johnson (1986) demand-control-social support model. ), which states that the source of stress is found in the mismatch between the existing demands and the control that the person has to face these demands, and that takes into account social support as a decisive variable that affects this phenomenon both direct as indirect.
Stress is a complex phenomenon
Stress is usually a complex phenomenon, especially in the work Relaxing Environment at Home, in which variables of the workplace and the organization come into play, but also the expectations of an individual and his ability to cope in complex situations.
Therefore, in extreme cases, it is necessary to go to an expert if you do not want to end up suffering what is known as burnout or burn syndrome. It is also essential to go to the psychologist when stress is a consequence of a traumatic situation, which may require psychological intervention to reduce suffering and treat the problem from the root.
10 tips to reduce stress
Now, if you are going through a time when you feel stressed, you have begun to notice that the situation in which you find yourself is great and is affecting your day to day, in today’s article, I will give you some tips so that you can reduce the characteristic symptomatology of this phenomenon.
- Manage your time effectively
Poor time management is one of the most frequent causes of stress. Being late to all places, having an email tray full, studying at the last minute for exams, taking on many tasks and not completing any, etc., are situations that cause anxiety and lack of control.
Therefore, the correct organization of time is the best way to prevent stress. If you want to learn to manage your time efficiently, there is a wide range of courses and workshops to help you keep your schedule under control.
2. Don’t be a perfectionist
Perfectionism is the belief that it must achieve perfection in everything you do. This may seem positive, but it can have negative consequences, for example: being more tense and anxious, not enjoying achievements or being more stressed.
In an article published in Infosalus, the psychologist Francesc Quer, secretary of the Section of Psychology of Organizations and Work of the Official College of Psychology of Catalonia, states that: “The person in whom perfectionism causes problems is subject to strong stress, presents symptoms of anxiety and symptoms that hide high degrees of stress. “
3. Practice yoga
Yoga is a physical and mental age-old practice that has been expanding worldwide because of its benefits for both body and mind. It has more and more followers because it is a discipline that seeks well-being, inner peace and implies a lifestyle that commits to maintaining healthy habits.
Today, it is not surprising that the current pace of life leads many people to suffer stress, causing psychological health problems. Many are the studies that affirm that the regular practice of yoga is positive to combat this phenomenon. One of them is the research carried out by Thirthalli and Naveen (2013), which concludes that this ancient practice reduces the levels of cortisol, a hormone that is released in response to stress, and which is necessary for the body as it regulates and mobilizes energy in stressful situations. Now, if we have too much cortisol or it increases in situations that we don’t need it, it causes negative effects for the body and the mind.
4. Be positive
This sounds cliché, but it is true because how you think affects your stress levels. If you think negatively about yourself or the situation, your body reacts with tension. Regaining your sense of control and adopting a positive attitude towards stress can help you overcome the most difficult situations. Therefore, try to see stressful situations from a more positive perspective. For example, a complicated situation can be seen as a learning opportunity.
5. Eat and drink in a healthy way
On the one hand, stress often causes us to alter our healthy habits, so in situations where we are stressed, we must try to lead a lifestyle that is not harmful. On the other hand, an unhealthy lifestyle causes us to have less resistance to stress.
Eating healthy allows you to be well-nourished to cope with stressful situations. It is important to have a good breakfast, because, otherwise, we can suffer a significant drop in energy during the day. Substituting green tea for coffee and avoiding sugary drinks like Coca-Cola can also be positive strategies. Of course, smoking should be avoided and alcohol consumption should be moderated to keep the mind clear and thus avoid an easy way out of stress. Drinking two liters of water daily helps to be more concentrated and in a better mood.
6. Use humor and laughter
The benefits of humor and laughter are multiple both physically and mentally. That is why laughter therapy is used to manage stressful situations and to relieve physical and emotional tension. Laughter therapy encourages the production of happiness chemicals such as serotonin and also reduces levels of cortisol, the hormone related to stress.
7. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness practice our full attention is effective in reducing stress levels. There is a specific program called “Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Program (MSBR)” that lasts 8 weeks and that, according to different investigations, improves the quality of life of people who try it, because it teaches the ability to Be aware and helps cultivate deeper levels of care and compassion. Like yoga and meditation, Mindfulness reduces levels of cortisol, a hormone that is released in response to stress.
8. Sleep better
Everyone knows that stress can cause sleep problems. But unfortunately, lack of sleep can also cause stress. Adequate sleep is necessary for the mind and body to be rested.
The feeling of tiredness increases stress, since it does not allow us to think clearly and can aggravate the stressful situation and affect our mood. Do you have trouble sleeping lately?
9. Practice physical exercise
Surely many of you have gone to the gym to disconnect on more than one occasion because, after a hard day at work, there is nothing better than going to play paddle tennis or practice kickboxing. In addition to the physical benefits of exercising, physical activity also reduces stress.
Physical exercise increases the production of norepinephrine (norepinephrine), a neurotransmitter that can moderate the brain’s response to stress, and produces neurochemicals such as endorphins or serotonin, which help improve mood
10. Harness the power of music
The music can have a profound positive effect on both the emotions and the body. If music with a slow tempo can make a person more alert, music with a slower tempo can relax the mind and muscles, helping to release the tension of the day.
Therefore, music relaxes and is effective for stress management. Furthermore, according to various research, playing an instrument also helps reduce stress and relieve tension.
