There is no way to cure stress but there are many factors that influence how well we are able to tolerate it. Many studies have indicated that a consistently negative approach to challenges is damaging in the long-term.
One Pennsylvania State University study, for example, drew a link between people less equipped to handle stress (in other words, who are more likely to let a situation like sitting in the traffic make them tense or get grumpy at the prospect of too much work) and health problems as far as 10 years down the line. For more information on this study, see here.
What stress management techniques can you employ?
So how can we manage our reactions to potential stressors more successfully? For some individuals this may be as simple as implementing certain lifestyle changes to reduce stress, while for others – particularly those burdened by chronic stress – the required changes may be more drastic or they may need to seek professional help.
Developing stress management techniques will not eliminate stress altogether, but it will help you face the challenges life throws your way. They include the following:
- Learn to be assertive and to say no. Taking on more than you can handle is a certain recipe for stress. If this is already the case, delegate tasks where possible, be it at home or in the workplace.
- Manage your time effectively. Set aside time for activities you enjoy and hobbies that help you unwind.
- Get enough sleep. Make sure you’re allocating enough time to get a sufficient night’s sleep every night.
- Employ relaxation techniques. Meditation is one very effective way of training your brain to focus on the present, drowning out anxiety-inducing noise such as ‘what ifs’ and ‘maybes’. Other relaxation techniques touted for their stress-relieving properties include yoga, deep breathing and massage therapy.
- Exercise regularly. Aside from giving you an opportunity to clear your head, exercise also floods the body with endorphins, ‘feel good’ chemicals that can counter the effects of all those stress hormones that set you on edge.
- Speak to a therapist. A mental healthcare professional will be able to help you assess your lifestyle and determine where changes need to be made in order to lower your stress levels.
Doctors do not usually prescribe medication for the management of stress unless there is an underlying psychiatric condition that may be exacerbating it, such as clinical depression or an anxiety disorder.