24/11/2021
Feeling stressed or overwhelmed? Don’t worry, you’re not alone!
It is perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed every once in a while. But if this is becoming a habit, you need to do something about it.
We are constantly trying to juggle work, family, our social life and other commitments. When you are busy attempting to fit everything in, it can sometimes feel like time is slipping away.
Besides that, we face unprecedented challenges that only add to the plate. Look at the covid-pandemic for example. It has and still is complicating our everyday lives, which is something that needs to be considered.
Then there is the subconscious need to always stay in the loop, not to miss out on a thing, being available 24/7...
Just like that you are feeling stretched
Mastering the skill of managing your stress takes time. The good news is you can - and most definitely must - do it.
Discover our 10 tips to best manage stress.
Symptoms of Stress
Stress can express itself in both emotional or physical ways. Here are some common signs of feeling stressed:
Emotional symptoms:
- Feelings of emptiness, numbness or sadness
- Feelings of anger or frustration
- Struggling to falling asleep, nightmares
- Can’t concentrate
Physical symptoms:
- Loss of appetite
- Low energy
- Headaches
- Skin rashes or abnormalities
- Body aches
- Stomach issues
- Excess use of alcohol, tobacco and other substances
While it is natural to feel stress during difficult times, it should not become the daily norm. Constant stress can lead to more serious problems such as depression, anxiety, burnouts, heart diseases, strokes… The list goes on.
How to Manage Stress
- Disconnect from News Feeds
Sounds simple enough, right?! Still, many people think they need to be up to date 24/7, knowing about the latest news story and social media trends. Although it’s good to stay informed, it is better to give yourself a break at least once a day. Put your phone aside, turn your TV off, shut down your laptop, and have time off the screens.
- Regularly Exercise
To all couch potatoes out there: Wait! Don’t skip this part. It’s not as bad as you might think. Regular exercise doesn’t mean hitting the gym for 2 hours every day. It starts from as little as 1’ minutes a day.
For example, a 20 minute morning walk or afternoon beach stroll would do the job. Or maybe you prefer a more intense workout such as a 10 minute skip or run.
Whatever kind of workout fits your schedule, it is all about getting active and more importantly: Doing it regularly. This is one of the best ways to drastically reduce those stress levels as it keeps your body healthy and mind sharp. - Eat Healthy
Following a balanced diet is known to be beneficial in many ways. One of them is your mental health. Eating lots of vegetables, whole foods, and lean protein are vital sources of energy, giving your body and mind the fuel it needs. But you don’t have to miss out completely on your favourite chocolate cake or jam donut! It’s all about the balance.
- Breathe Right
Deep breathing is known to release pressure straight away. Just try it for yourself! Here’s a deep breathing exercise that you can follow:
1.) Make yourself comfortable either sitting or laying down. It is important that your feet are on the floor.
2.) Close your eyes.
3.) Take a very slow breath in through your nose, and out through your mouth.
4.) Do this 5-10 times.
When you get better, you can focus on one particular body part each time you breathe in and out. For example, start with your feet. Think about your feet and your feet alone while you slowly breathe in and out. Then move onto your legs. Breathe in, breathe out.
You will feel each body part getting heavy until your whole body feels like it is drifting on clouds. Ultimate relaxation.
Here are some other breathing techniques to check out! - Take Me-Time
Taking time out for yourself is super important. We can easily forget caring about ourselves being busy looking after everyone else. At least once a day, consider taking time out to unwind. Whether that’s putting on a face mask, reading a book, solving a sudoku, or gardening. Take your mind off your responsibilities and concentrate just on yourself.
- Share Your Thoughts
When you are going through a rough patch and things are bothering you, talking about it can help lower your stress. You can turn to family or friends to share your feelings and concerns.
If you are not comfortable talking about it with someone from your close circle, there is always help from the outside. Organisations such as Beyond Blue are great for that!
Lastly, there is self-talk. Talking to oneself isn’t silly or embarrassing, it is actually quite normal and we all do it. So don’t feel weird when you just have to tell your inner self to calm down every once in a while. - Mistakes are Okay
Nobody’s perfect - and it’s fine! Sometimes we tend to go a little hard on ourselves. We constantly strive to do things perfectly that we forget what life is really about. And frankly, there is so much more to life than perfection.
If you make a mistake, that’s okay! Take it as a lesson and whatever you do, laugh about it. Laughter is the best medicine. - Remove the Triggers
There usually are certain triggers in life that aggravate stress. Find out what they are: Is it the long commute to work? Your job itself? Social commitments? It can even be the sound of your morning alarm! Once you identify stress triggers, try to eliminate or at least reduce them.
If you’re unsure what triggers your stress, keep a journal! Note down when you start feeling anxious or stressed and think about what might have caused it. You might be able to figure out a pattern that leads you to identify your stress triggers.
Btw, if you’re unhappy in your current job and this is your main stress trigger, we can most definitely help. It is our daily bread to make the job hunt a breeze! In fact, with Bosware Recruit you don’t have to hunt anymore at all because we bring the job to you.
That’s right. All you have to do is create your profile and we will do the rest for you. Click here to sign up for free today! - Make Time for Fun
Yes, we all have responsibilities. We have to work to make a living. After work, we have to do laundry and buy groceries. We have to attend the yearly family dinner where aunt Karen keeps asking you when you’re going to have children. Mostly being an adult isn’t that much fun. It can be!
The way I look at life is this: How can I make my day the most fun?If you try to do something for fun every day, you’re living. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes you can’t get around a long day of work and duties with no fun at all. As long as you make up for it another time that’s fine.
- Explore Nature
Connecting with mother nature has long been known to soothe the mind. It can give you a sense of peace and calm, which makes you feel more relaxed and less stressed. Moreover, it can help clear your mind and actually improve your productivity.
Overthinking? Overwhelmed? Exhausted? Get outdoors, soak in that fresh air and reset your mind!
Hopefully these tips will help you better manage stress.
And if you’re still looking for an easy and fast way to get a new job - join Bosware Recruit today!