Try as we might to ensure an easy-going life, it doesn’t always work out that way. Stress can rear its ugly head at any moment for any amount of different reasons. It’s a part of life. But that doesn’t mean it must consume you. Here are a few ways you can beat stressful feelings and put your best foot forward again. Here’s my five ways to beat stress. 

 

1: Put Yourself First 

Easier said than done I know but the reason I’ve placed this first on the list is to show you that it is totally ok to be selfish, say no and put yourself first. In our lives family, friends and work situations can often battle for all of our attention when beneath it all you yourself are feeling stretched and empty. There is often a sense of guilt if you decide to put yourself before all of these things. It’s so important to realise that you can only take care of all the other things in your life if you are first taking care of yourself. It’s ok to treat yourself. It’s ok to say no. It’s ok to put your needs first. 

 

2: Let The Glass Down 

This is my favourite analogy when speaking of dealing with stress. Take a little read and learn why it’s so important to “put the glass down”. 

A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience.

As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they’d be asked the “half empty or half full” question.

Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired

“How heavy is this glass of water?”

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter.

It depends on how long I hold it.

If I hold it for a minute, it’s not a problem.

If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my arm.

If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed.

In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.”

She continued, “The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water.

Think about them for a while and nothing happens.

Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt.

And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything.”

It’s important to remember to let go of your stresses, upsets and anything that doesn’t feel good to you as early as you can.

Put all your burdens down.

Don’t carry them throughout your day or even an hour or more than the few moments it takes to notice that you are feeling in a way you don’t want.

Remember to put the glass down!

 

3: Think Positive Thoughts

Not the easiest thing to do when you are feeling stressed about situations but thinking positively can really help to re-program your mind to a new frequency and pick you up out of the negative space you are in. Try adopting a positive attitude and focus on that. 

 

4: Let Go Of Control 

You cannot be in control of everything around you and sometimes trying to be is the very thing that causes stress. This was one I really had to learn. Now if I feel I can’t get a hold on a situation I literally take a few deep breaths and just let it go. The more you release situations to be what they naturally want to be then the less stress and tension you will feel. 

 

5: Be Grateful 

Adopting an attitude of gratitude is the final and most important point. Taking a few moments daily to really be thankful for the wonderful things in your day will really shift your attitude towards that day and help you feel less stressed. Concentrating on the good things in your life is the perfect way to let go of the things and situations that cause you stress. 

 

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Leanne xx