In this world today, there are so many things that can cause stress. Things like getting a ticket for speeding and having to go to court or having bills pile up that cannot be paid for right away can be real stress producers. I think it is important not to let life pass us by without having any fun. Here are four ways that I have found best help me cope with stress:
Taking a break
Sometimes, it is necessary to take your mind off of the things that cause stress. For some tasks, taking a break is easy, like writing a research paper. For other tasks, it is not so easy, like taking care of a baby. For those with responsibility and good time management skills, short breaks can be very productive. For others that are easily distracted, like myself, a 15-minute break can turn into a fifteen-hour break. (Okay, maybe not that long, but close to it) For those with bad time management skills, try to keep your breaks short and find the self-discipline deep inside yourself to be productive. You can do it!
Exercising
Exercising serves multiple purposes. It is not simply a stress reliever; It is so much more. Exercising promotes self-confidence and self-realization along with stress relief. It can also make people realize the meaning of dedication. For example, say you set a goal to lose 20 pounds in a month. You know it will not be easy, but you decide to go to the gym every day and you accomplish your goal. That not only gives you confidence to go out and be more productive, it helps you realize how mentally tough YOU are to get through that. Only positive vibes can be felt through experiences like this.
Meditating
Meditation relaxes the body, mind, and soul. During meditation, total relaxation is reached and calm waves flow throughout your body. Relieving stress and finding yourself is what mediation is all about. If you have not yet tried meditation, I highly suggest you try it. It is mind blowing and life changing.
Socializing
This is, without a doubt, the most important aspect in helping relieve stress. Rome was not built in a day, and it was certainly not built by one person. Ideas and actions tend to flow better and more fluently in a group. That is not to say those who are solo cannot be successful. In fact, it is all the more impressive. But nobody likes to feel alone in this world, and it really helps to have people to talk and communicate with. However, do not depend on these people for all the answers. Remember that dependence signifies weakness while independence breeds strength.
Now, life has its ups and downs. Sometimes it is easy and care free. Unfortunately, other times it can be brutal and unforgiving. The only constant is change, and how we adapt to that change makes us who we are. Some live life as if life is a burden while others see it as a blessing. Personally, I prefer the latter. Overall, it is important not to let life pass us by without having any fun. As Ferris Bueller once said, “life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
