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Get startedHow to combat emotional stress
Sometimes, it feels like you are completely helpless when it comes to stress. Emotional stress is especially painful and a challenge to handle. Work and family responsibilities can be very demanding. However, you have the ability to control how you handle situations; that’s the foundation of stress management. Taking charge of your thoughts, emotions, and lifestyle can alter how you deal with problems. There are things you can do to regain control over situations and issues that feel out of your control.
There are many different causes of emotional stress. Relationship stress can be a heavy burden. Relationships are wonderful and can provide a sense of comfort and security. But when conflicts arise, they can also take a heavy toll and weigh you down. Financial issues, work stress and worry about the unknown are other emotional stressors that take away from your quality of life and mental clarity.
Why is it important to learn how to manage stress?
Emotional stress hurts your physical health and upsets your emotional equilibrium, which carries over into many areas of your life. It affects your ability to think clearly, function properly and enjoy life.
Managing stress helps break the hold it has on your life and allows you to lead a balanced life that is productive and healthy. You can meet challenges head on and experience pure relaxation and fun without a cloud hanging over your head. There is not one ‘right way’ to handle stress; you have to find the method that works for you. Here are a few coping strategies to experiment with, so you can discover what helps you feel calm and in control.
Identify the sources of stress in your life.
Accept responsibility for the part you play in creating or allowing high stress levels. Next, try to understand the source of stress that is bothering you most. It may be more complicated if you are experiencing chronic stress. It’s easy to overlook your feelings if you are busy in your day-to-day life.
- Do you think your stress is temporary? Or it it way beyond short-term?
- Do you validate stress as a constant in your life: “Things are crazy here all the time” or “We are just always busy”?
- Do you blame stress on other people or outside circumstances?
- Do you view constant pressure as completely normal in your daily life?
Start a stress journal.
Keep a journal to pinpoint the things that regularly stress you out, and track how you handle them. Document what made you feel stressed and how you dealt with it. Write down:
- The cause of your stress
- How it made you feel emotionally and physically
- How you responded
- What made you feel better
Use the stress journal to identify how you cope with stress, and note whether your reactions are helpful or just make the problem worse. Think about how you’re coping, and replace unhealthy coping strategies with healthy ones. Unhealthy coping strategies might include smoking, drinking, eating, or sleeping. Challenge yourself to stay away from these when stressed.
Develop better coping mechanisms
When you feel emotional stress, pay attention to how it affects you physically. Practice mindfulness. Distract yourself with a feel-good movie or fun activity with friends. Talk to a therapist or wellness counselor, who can give you perspective and teach you additional coping tools specific to your situation.
Other ideas:
- Exercise: physical activity releases feel-good endorphins.
- Surround yourself with people who inspire you.
- Schedule a weekly date with a friend or loved one.
- Make time for fun and relaxation.
You are not alone. We will partner with you through individual or small group coaching to help make the changes you need. As you better understand yourself, you can learn what best helps you heal and grow. Contact us today to find the best course of action to help you get your life back!
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