Stress is the mental and emotional strain people experience when they face a stressful situation, which both internal and external factors can cause.

With an infectious disease like COVID-19 still making the news, life can be tougher for some working-class people, especially the front liners.

A “fight-or-flight” response can be when someone has an automatic physiological reaction to an event, which could be stressful or frightening, often initiated by external factors such as deadlines, conflict, or family strife. Still, it can also be triggered internally from thoughts of worry or doubt about one’s capabilities.

For example, a person who feels pressure to handle a heavy workload will likely feel stress until their workload decreases.

How to tell if we are stressed?

In 2021, you can tell in two ways, through tests or sometimes, detecting symptoms at home. You can figure out your stress levels through a blood pressure checker. Some of you have that at home. So, a simple check could remove plenty of those worries.

There is also a test that can measure the amount of cortisol in your saliva. This way, people who are stressed can get treatment before it becomes too severe.

You can do an EEG (Electroencephalogram that detects abnormalities in brain waves) test for brain activity or an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging that produces detailed images of the inside of the body) scan for the brain to find more details about your stress levels. 

These are just a few ways to detect stress in modern life.

Causes of Stress

Stress can be due to several things, including being overworked, feeling anxious about an upcoming event, or feeling under pressure. Stress can also be caused by not getting enough sleep or exercising.

The best way to find out if you are stressed is to monitor your stress levels. The most common way is to take a day or two off from work and use this time for self-reflection and relaxation. If you still feel stressed after that period, then it’s likely that you are not taking care of yourselves enough.

Regardless of how you find out, you must be wary of symptoms and deal with them accordingly.

How to relieve stress?

Stress can adversely affect your health. It makes you anxious, agitated, or even depressed if you don’t manage it well. However, there are some ways to relieve stress in 2021.

Some people find that developing new skills is an excellent way to relieve stress. They could learn so many new and exciting skills – from making a website for your small business to learning how to dance. 

Learning something new may be just what someone needs to reduce their feelings of anxiety and unease in the world.

Another thing that people could do is spend more time with friends and family members they care about deeply. Humans beings are social creatures, and spending time with those most important in our lives will help us feel happy and fulfilled again.

Family get-togethers are even more remedial for people who tend to connect less with strangers or prefer having connections within a small circle.

A stress-free life warrants that you reduce your social media usage, helping you spend more time with the people around you and be aware of what is happening in the world.

It would be best to get rid of your TV because it makes you less productive and less creative. I am just kidding! Of course, please do not get rid of it. TV helps too! Just limit its usage if you are too hung up with it.

You might also change your diet so that it includes more proteins, good fats, and vegetables. These are essential for an overall healthy lifestyle.

Hit the gym if it makes you feel better.

Stress levels can reduce once you feel content and fulfilled with your life. It can start with small things you achieve throughout the weeks, months, or years. 

Feel more confident in the things you do well by mastering them level after level. 

Once you figure out stress and cope with it, you would feel more confident in dealing with it. Last, experience is the best teacher as it helps us deal with things if such were to occur again.

Most of the time, if the stress levels are manageable, you would be better at finding out what works for you. Sometimes, people whom you trust can also help you along the way.

Do your best! You GOT this!

Stress is an unavoidable part of life and the leading cause of disease and untimely death.

But you don’t have to be a victim of your stress. With the right strategies, you can take charge of your stress, improve your overall health, reduce your risk of disease, and live a longer, happier life.

There’s no reason why you shouldn’t fight for the good life, too!

Journaling

Journaling is one of the best ways to let out your stress. It can help you relax and get things off your chest. There are many methods for keeping a journal, but the most effective one is to use a physical journal.

The primary benefit is that you can record your thoughts in an easy-to-read format, thus easier to digest. The physical journal can also help you keep track of your progress.

However, if you are more of a mobile person, try using an app like Day One or Reflect to write your daily thoughts, which later saves them in the cloud. Some day, you might want to check on the good life you led through one of your writings.

Sometimes, it is better if you even discuss your positive and negative experiences with your close buddy. Either way is helpful, although a journal can act as your listener while you are the narrator.

So, experience the good life of journaling!

Drink Water to Destress

Water is an essential element of your health. Our body must function properly, and we also need it for our daily activities.

Not enough water will get you dehydrated, and that is trouble. Yes, most people do not know this, but not drinking enough water can have an unhealthy weight loss.

Most of us have been there: you’re stressed out, overworked, and your skin, hair, and nails are all suffering. People think about good things but worry about losing their hair prematurely, about going bald, and worry about looking old.

But did you know you actually can destress your body with just water? Well, it can do wonders for your looks for a start, not just because it’s a healthy drink but because it doesn’t take much effort to drink it. It also improves your complexion.

So, use chemical products or drink water? Your choice!

Balance your Diet

What makes up a good life better than having a “balanced diet?” It’s a question much of the population struggles with, and it’s frequently debated.

Some experts suggest a diet should comprise roughly equal numbers of soluble and insoluble carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Others believe that the best diet is one low in carbs and high in good fats.

Still, others think one should avoid processed foods altogether. And some even claim that a diet high in saturated fat or cholesterol is the healthiest.

Regardless to say, diet is essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle, no matter how easier it is said than done. Various delicacies often tempt us to take on more unhealthy foods than necessary, and we overindulge when we get bored.

Once we binge on junk food, the desire to keep on eating it becomes even more overwhelming. There are a lot of misconceptions about healthy eating.

For example, many believe that it is essential to cut out carbohydrates.

However, carbohydrates are necessary for our diets. We need them to form our muscles and keep our brains functioning well. We need them to help our body store energy and give us the feeling of being full.

Just like balancing your diet, you can live a healthy and productive life.

Sleep!

Sleep is the most critical element for a healthy body and a good life, perhaps not a new statement. While many people rarely think about the quantity of sleep they get, several things can make you feel you haven’t slept at all.

Since sleep deprivation is a real thing, we want you to give yourself enough sleep and wake up feeling more refreshed and healthy.

Better sleep will get you a healthy beginning and productive life.

Meditate, Exercise, and Relax your Mind

What do you think when you come across the word “meditation?” Perhaps a monk seated in a silent room or a yogi in a peaceful forest, or maybe a Tibetan Buddhist monk performing a quiet meditation ritual?

Everyone meditates in different ways, and there is no one right way to do it. The point is to disregard the surroundings, focus on your breathing, and let your mind relax. 

A productive life requires some relaxation. Meditation helps attain that. Well, it is the go-to for destressing and relaxing, but what about exercise?

Studies have shown that exercise boosts the mind, which can make it easier to relax. That’s because activity, whether through running, biking, or even yoga, helps your body work efficiently.

Try Coffee Alternatives

Coffee is a beloved beverage, but drinking too much of it can lead to a host of issues and concerns. Some people are coffee addicts, while others are regular users who struggle to stay away from this strong stuff.

Some people find particular foods affect their ability to function well, while others find they need to improve their habits to avoid addiction. If you have a habit of drinking too much coffee, then maybe you should stop.

If you notice that it’s affecting your health, try turning to other more healthy alternatives like tea, kombucha, and even, yes, water. A happy cup of tea is the root of a happy morning, therefore, a happy life.

Practice Positivity

Positive thinking is a famous phrase. Almost everyone wants to have a positive attitude and have a positive outlook on life, right?

However, this is not a new concept and has been around for a long time. The ancient Greeks, Buddhist monks, and early Christians used this in their teachings.

Positive thinking is a mindset that focuses on the positives in your life instead of the negatives. Think of a silver lining instead of a black cloud.

Positive thinking has been around as long as people have been around. We use it in every aspect of life, from positive affirmations in the morning to positive thinking during troublesome times.

The best way to stay positive is by starting with the right mindset and environment.

To lay a foundation for a positive lifestyle, you must first learn how to be positive.

Be Optimistic

If you want to be optimistic, the first thing you should do is stop assuming the worst, stop letting your fears dictate your life. The first step in becoming optimistic is to admit that you are a pessimist.

In your daily life, you may not realize how you feel, an indicator of how you live. It’s a simple concept but often overlooked.

Your feelings can tell you a lot about what you’re doing. We all feel wrong about something from time to time, and when you find yourself in a sour mood, it’s easy to feel you’ll never get out.

These feelings come and go, and they aren’t always accurate. Remember, they don’t give you a complete view of the world, and they’re not a guarantee of what’s coming.

So, shrug negativity off your shoulders as much as you can. Remember, this is a process. And you can do it. Be optimistic!

Exercise your Brain

Brain exercise is a straightforward and well-known concept. The best way to exercise your brain is to do something that requires it.

But what if you can’t always find the time to exercise your brain? Well, it turns out there are tons of things you can do that require little mental exertion.

So if you want to exercise your brain, get started with easy brain-exercising exercises like having fun solving a jigsaw puzzle.

Do Something Creative

Life is hectic. We cannot have a productive life without living challenging us.

We have jobs, projects, and other stuff we want to get done, but sometimes it’s hard to find the time for it.

That’s why every day, we must opt for some fun and engaging activities.

Today, you could try one! How about painting or perhaps, some knitting?

Remember, you do you! Cause, your mind is the most attractive thing!

You are one BUSY individual! Perhaps, you are a manager or one of those hard-working professionals looking for ways to improve your daily regimen without being too harsh on yourself.

Any routine change is already a topic that gets us anxious enough to not even start it. The very mention of this subject likely dozes us off to our individual boring lives as we carry on.

However, there is always something you can look up to, and here we are with the signs that you are too harsh with yourself and how you can take it down a notch.

1. Hardly any Time for Family

When you are home, you find yourself with all the energy withdrawn from whatever you had in the early morning. Don’t sweat it! Our bodies need motivation as much as our minds do, which is why we can improve our lifestyle in a way that complements our routine—that includes maintaining our energy.

Solution: Try to sit for dinner with your loved ones at home at least a few times a week, if not daily. Try whatever is necessary to make it happen by calling keeping this goal upfront with people you work that hour.

2. Eating without a Break

You’re eating while doing other tasks simultaneously. There’s a list of tasks you are ought to do. However, if you cannot make time for your own health, you’re doing yourself an injustice. Taking care of oneself is not selfish, instead, it is one of the most important things in life. If you’re healthy, you can also make others’ lives better by being there for them.

Solution: You need to set aside at least 15-minutes for each meal during the day. If you want to enjoy a little snack during the day, ask your supervisor for 10-15 minutes. Remember, the more you eat as long as it’s healthy food, the more you will feel relaxed whether it’s to work or do other stuff.

3. You hate Waking Up in the Morning

You’re more tired in the morning than before you hit the bed. This is a common occurrence between people who either like to work at night or people who are overscheduled with work during the day that their mind is super awake during the night.

Solution: Set aside all the distractions sometime before sleeping. If you cannot exit everything, at least limit yourself to just watching T.V. without touching any of your mobile devices before sleeping. Also, drink chamomile tea, warm milk, or any other food that helps people to sleep better. Perhaps, read a book as it might help to get sleepy for some people.

4. Loneliness by Losing Relationship with People and God

When you are tied up with everything, you hardly have time for those who are important—family, friends, and God. People who care about you will always try to want good things for you. Don’t lose them! They will notice if you somehow distance yourself in a way that might cause you to become lonely in the future. At times, you miss praying to God, for the rush of life passes you by so fast that you do not find time to contemplate things going well.

Solution: Be adamant in maintaining your important relationships. If you have to give time to your loved ones, prioritize it, keeping everything else aside. Slowly and steadily, you will feel more at ease doing it one day.

5. You are losing track of things in Life

You don’t stop to think about where you’re going in your career, in your relationship, or in life. Perhaps, finding time to plan it out well before you need to take steps would be better at this time and this hour.

Solution: Where do you see yourself in the next five years? During interviews, a common question whose answer can help you define your life is divided into baby steps to getting there.

“When life gives you lemons, use them to make lemonade.”

An old proverb

The above tells us that we need to face adversity with courage when life throws us challenges. Like turning a sour lemon into sweet lemonade, we can turn a negative experience into a positive one.

Some of us may not be able to reduce our stress, at least not that quickly. Some of us are just too busy doing things that make our livelihood, spending more hours without getting much in return. Perhaps, we need to try our best in our little ways to help prevent things from controlling us and promote work-life balance.

And for those who have free time besides work, then that’s beautiful! Work on yourself and the people around you.