16 Useful Tips to Manage Stress.
- Simplify your life: Take out unnecessary activities. Focus on priorities. Brian Tracy said, “You’ll never have time to do everything, but you’ll always have enough time to do the most important things.” Learn to say “No” to unnecessary things that will stress you. Automate as much tasks as you can.
- Avoid Unhealthy Comparison: This is one of the biggest causes of stress today. Social media gives many the impression that everyone has their lives figured out but them, and this perception puts immense pressure on people. Not everything we see on social media is the whole truth of people’s lives. People often share a version of their lives that crops out their struggles and failures and shows only their success. Others then make unfair comparisons of their lives with the shiny parts of people’s lives they see and then despise their own life. Don’t fall into that trap. Don’t compare your behind the scenes with someone else’s highlight reel. You don’t know the backstory of the success stories of people. Focus on your life, your success story is being written. And when it’s published, consider sharing not just shiny pictures of your success but also your journey to it, to encourage those aspiring for where you are.
3. Reduce screen time: Design a system that reduces your phone use. The emails, pings and WhatsApp messages can wait. Sometimes, the cure to stress is to put your phone on silent and sleep.
4- Create a Schedule: Schedule your activities per time. Yes, the schedule may change sometimes but having that schedule can help you feel more relaxed, gives you a sense of control, and helps you organize your life. The less tasks take you by surprise, the less stress you feel because you will tackle them from a calm and prepared demeanor.
5. Obey the 3 Cardinal laws of Good health: Sleep, Eat well, Exercise. 20 minutes of exercise, 3 square meals & 7-8 hours is the magic pill to managing stress.
6. Have fun: do something you take joy in or that relaxes you. What do you find enjoyable or relaxing— reading a book? Talking walks? Dancing? Playing an instrument? Do it when you’re stressed
7. Cut out addictions: to drugs, alcohol, porn, addictions to anime, Netflix binging, IG, YouTube shorts etc.
Addictions have a way of stealing your joy in the long-term, and robbing you the precious time to do more important things.
If you need tips with cutting out addictions, check the first link at the end of the article.
8. Have quiet time: Take time daily to pray, meditate, worship and practice gratitude. These things have terrific impact on your ability to manage stress and difficult times.
9. Take quick breaks: to "breathe" during tasks. Don’t worry, the world won’t fall apart because you took 15 minutes to pause and catch your breath. Rather, you’ll come out refreshed and refocused.
If you die today, though painful, life goes on. Think about that, and take a moment to breathe and just relax.
10. Invest in quality relationships: Connect with people, be a generally friendly person. Then, decide those who really matter to you and invest in those relationships. Good relationships have a relaxing effect. Bad relationships can be extremely stressful.
When you’re tired and cranky, don’t take it out on people, rather let your colleagues, friends and family be channels through which you relieve stress.
Spending time with people you care about, who lift your spirits is sometimes the cure to stress.
11. Make the right choices on critical life decisions. Decisions like where you live, whom you marry, where you work and your life-work can greatly increase your stress or joy. Choose carefully, patiently and wisely. Pray and seek quality advice before you make these decisions.
12. Talk to a therapist: If you consistently feel stressed, and you can’t pinpoint the reason, talk to a therapist or a wise, understanding person you trust.
If you are struggling with the idea of seeing a therapist, read the 4th(last) link at the end of the article.
13. Be Kind: Develop compassion and empathy. Be considerate of others and be kind. Kindness has an amazing impact in reducing stress levels. Do something everyday that eases someone’s burden, puts a smile on someone’s face or lifts them up.
14. Mind your thoughts: Guard your heart (your thought life) with all diligence because it is the source of life (I didn’t say that, Proverbs 4:23 did).
Avoid unnecessary thoughts that build up stress in you. Don’t magnify the challenges you are facing, magnify God in them. Think of thoughts that empower you, rather than thoughts that depress you.
Yes I know, it’s sometimes easier said than done, but it’s possible (seek the help of a therapist if you find yourself often thinking depressive thoughts.)
Develop a positive mindset that sees the silver lining behind every dark cloud. Don’t focus on the stress or the source of your worry, focus on what you can do to relieve it.
If you need help managing negative thoughts, check the second set of links at end of article.
15. Keep your eyes on the goal: Sometimes when our path gets tough, and we get stressed, we forget the reason we set out on that path. But when we keep our eyes on the vision or goal it has a way of reenergizing us and helping us manage the stress better
16. Develop expertise quickly: Do more skilled you become at tasks the less stressful they become. Most things are initially difficult but if you can work hard at those beginning stages and quickly develop skill, you’ll shorten the learning time and reduce the stress.
If you need tips on how to develop expertise faster, read 3rd link at end of article.
Links Referenced
Here are the links I referenced in the article:
1- On overcoming addictions: https://link.medium.com/TJjprWRV9sb
2- On Managing thoughts:
How to overcome the inner critic: https://link.medium.com/ZduGzGRO9sb
God heals a fractured mind: https://link.medium.com/45jFj3LX9sb
3- On Developing Expertise: https://link.medium.com/wbqXzAUI1sb
4- Why you may need to see a therapist: https://link.medium.com/45jFj3LX9sb
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Hi. I'm Dipo. I write, speak and train on interpersonal/softskills, teenagers, emotional healing, and overcoming fear, failure, shame, rejection, and other self-limiting obstacles to your progress.
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