Basic Ground Rules for Stress Management

The fact remains that stress is often caused by internal perceptions. And hence if we cannot change the external environment try and change yourself to better adjust to the environmental factors. This is the best way to manage stress.

There are some stressors which are beyond our reach and hence cannot be changed depending on our capacity to handle them, for example, death of a family member, illness or a financial recession. These situations which are rather uncontrollable are better handled with acceptance of the fact and then finding ways to cope by focusing on any possible positive outcome of the situation.

In most other situations, we try and control them. Especially when it comes to dealing with the behavior of others, we try and change the people. However, we forget the fact that changing your own behavior is a problem at most times rest alone the behavior of others towards you. Hence the best way to deal with such stressing people and behaviors is to choose the way you wish to react to such things. If you act rather than react to such unwanted behaviors, you will end up in a less stressful situation.

Another thing that you can do is to always look at the upside. When incidents/ situations happen in our life, we often tend to look for the bad things about it and how it impacted our life in a wrong way. However, we need to accept the fact that all those tough times, though seemingly unbearable, will actually make us stronger and more resistant to future similar situations. Instead look at things which can be used for your personal development. Reflect on the current situation and figure out things which caused you stressful times. Is it you yourself that is responsible for this situation? If you are, work towards improving your behavior and attitude towards things in life.

Many people hide their feelings and opinions about certain issues and people. These feelings later bottle up within you and instead of saving your day actually burst out at wrong times and circumstances and affect the situation in an absolutely wrong way. Hence it is always advisable to let out your feelings, talk it out with your friends or relatives. Such an experience is also cathartic and can help your relieve of your stress completely and avoid unnecessary build up of emotions and stress.

Quite often after a fight or a heated argument, we tend to nurture hard feelings for people in our hearts. However, we actually do not wish to do so. This leads to conflicting feelings and thus generates stress. It is therefore advisable to forgive people and things easily in order to relieve ourselves of the unwanted or self generated stress. It can also work to improve your relationships.