Life nowadays can be chaotic, hectic and even overwhelming. You’re tired , your temper is frayed, frustration hangs like an omnibus cloud over your head and your energy level has been dropping like a rock thrown in a pond, it can take all sorts of forms ranging from unreasonable anger to dampened spirits to loss of motivation. This can lead to your body suffering from physical or emotional tension…..stress.

Stress is an inevitable part of life. It can come in many situations or thoughts that make you feel frustrated, angry or anxious. The kind of lifestyle where we all strive for more at any cost adds to the stress. We worry for a lot of reasons. Sometimes we feel stressed at work; the thought of approaching deadlines, meeting with a boss or supervisor, the unpleasant colleagues across the room, thoughtless gossip or rumors. These things bring about mental exhaustion that disrupts our sleep, and can make you difficult to concentrate n the task at hand.

While stressful situations are unavoidable, the side effects of stress are not. There are some simple ways to relieve the stress affecting your body and mind. Choose any of these suggestions if it will work for you.

1. Think positive. Positive thinking makes you more alert and sensitive in many situations.
2. Balance your personal life from work, monetary considerations and physical life relationships, by taking life as a regular exercise of dealing with frustration, pressure and conflict.
3. Practice breathing exercise. According to Dr. Herbert Benson, in his book ”The Relaxation Response” Harvard Medical School (1975). Whenever you feel yourself becoming over exhausted with events, stop and inhale deeply through your nose, then exhale slowly through your mouth 8 to 10 times for 3 times a day. Practice this regularly throughout the day and you’ll find yourself better able to diffuse moments.
4. Get sleep at all cost. Stressed people feel lack of energy and are motivated. Getting enough sleep make you feel fresh and productive towards your work and responsibilities. It will help you clear your mind of any mental baggage enabling you to objectively analyze situations. (Scott Fagan: Methods of Reducing Stress. Discovery Health Magazine, Az. Aug. 2008)
5. Clear your mind. Develop a basic level of social circle and support system for yourself. Share your thoughts  with others and refrain from negative thoughts. It helps you clear your thinking in making decisions.
6. Give yourself time to relax, practice regular meditation. It can ease stress and help you diffuse your triggers. By cleaning the mind, you are forced “to let go” of stressful events. Remember to pray  “Lord, grant me the serenity to accepts the things I cannot change, the courage to do things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”.
7. Physical activity is a great stress buster: aerobics, brisk walking, treadmill walking for at least 20-30 minutes for 3-5 times at the most for a week can help you reduce anxiety, depression, tension and will also distract you from your troubles.

The most important thing is to realize that at the end of the day, it is your health that is at stake. We are not electronic gadgets that you can easily turn off when you need a reset and which you can readily plug in when you need a recharging. Our family and relationships are in danger when we give in to stress and anxiety. Have a balanced work, play and prayer.

   

By: MARICEL A. ALOQUINA Morong Natinal High School-Mabayo Annex