Let’s face it, modern-day life is stressful. These top tips will help you cope when under pressure.

No one can escape the stress of modern-day living, but you can do a lot to control it and to lessen its impact. These top tips will help you cope when under pressure:

    • Discuss your problems with your partner or close friend to see the situation more objectively. If counselling is available at your work or church, take advantage of this, too.
    • Make sure you do something you really enjoy at least once a day.
    • Laugh; it’s a fabulous healer, encourages social bonding, increases the supply of oxygen to the lungs, stimulates the production of endorphins and can produce a feeling of euphoria. Occasionally it also leads to tears, which is another positive release.
    • Look after your body. Kick any addictions you may have such as smoking, drugs, caffeine or alcohol; these can heighten the effects on tension and anxiety.
    • Maintain a healthy diet that includes cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, onions, beetroot, celery and carrots.
    • Try alternative and complementary therapies such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture, massage and aromatherapy.
    • Exercise, where possible, to burn off the excess adrenaline that stress generates. Twenty to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise that raises your heart rate to about 120 beats per minute at least three times a week can lower depression and anxiety within 12 weeks.
    • Be creative. Take up a stimulating new interest.
    • Get real. Accept your personality and learn to manage your strengths and weaknesses. Stop chastising yourself for past mistakes; learn from them, then let them go.
    • Tackle important issues early to get them off your mind, and don’t take on more than you can easily handle. Say ‘no’ when necessary.
    • Think positively. Do things not merely to stay popular but because you genuinely enjoy them.
    • Eat a handful of pumpkin seeds per day; they’re rich in zinc, iron and calcium.
    • Stabilise your central nervous system with herbs such as basil, lavender, chamomile and raw oats. Ginseng root relaxes you when stressed and boosts your immune system.
    • Give yourself physical and emotional support. Treat yourself to a favourite food or pamper yourself in an aromatherapy bath.
    • Do things just for fun. Take a walk in a park, go to movies, or even do something you would normally consider as childish, such as jumping into a pile of fallen leaves or splashing in puddles.

 

Our Employee Wellbeing Programme (EAP) is available 24 hours if you want to discuss your stress relief.