We’ve all felt stressed out at some point in our lives. But what exactly is stress? And why do we feel it? Stress is your body’s way of responding to something it deems a threat or demand. Essentially, when you’re feeling stressed, an automatic process known as “fight-or-flight” takes place – kicking you into high gear. It’s a feeling that’s actually made to protect us.
Stress is critical for survival. We’ve evolved to have those chemicals trigger the body to face danger or difficulty. But what happens when you’re stressed too often? Stress certainly isn’t good for the individual who suffers from it when it’s excessive.
Tips to Help You Avoid Stress
Sometimes, stress is completely unavoidable. But there are ways to limit the amount of stress you feel, including:
- Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol: If you can’t avoid them altogether, try to limit them. They’re stimulants that increase your levels of stress.
- Stay active whenever possible: Physical activity can be used to metabolize the excessive stress hormones in your body.
- Get a good sleep at night: Sleep is incredibly important for our mental health. Try to get a good sleep at night, even if it means going to bed a bit earlier.
- Try a few different relaxation techniques: There are many tried and proven techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing, etc. that work quite well.
- Eat well-balanced meals: Your diet is an essential part of your body and mind’s health. Eat well-balanced meals more often than not to function optimally.
- Talk with someone who cares: There are people in your life who care and would listen to you vent, such as a doctor, friend, parent or pastor.
How do you know if you’re feeling more stressed out than you should be? Here are a few ways to tell:
- Feeling guilty, anxious or sad
- Difficulty concentrating and making good decisions
- Lower interest levels in usual activities
- Headaches, stomach aches, and back pains
- Spending more time crying than usual
- Constant thoughts of stressful events in life
- Increased heart rate and difficulty breathing
- Higher use of alcohol, nicotine, and drugs
- Trouble sleeping at night
Let’s take a look at a few inspirational quotes to help you cope with stress in your day-to-day life.
- “If you want to reduce stress, it’s important to stop, sit still, and focus on your inner peace at least once a day.”
*** - “Everyone has a sanctuary within themselves. Tap into it and retreat whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed or anxious.”
*** - “Stress is a beneficial feeling, as long as we allow it to be. Focus on allowing stress to motivate, instead of worry, you and you will master it.”
*** - “You cannot force anything. If it’s meant to be, it’ll be. If it’s not, breath and let it go.”
*** - “If you make peace of mind your top priority, you can work your life around the idea of staying calm and content.”
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- “Productivity is your greatest weapon against stress. Stay busy and productive as often as you can.”
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- “When you’re ready to shine like the sun, stop thinking about things that weigh you down, and instead, focus on things that lift you up.”
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- “There are very few stressors in life that cannot be resolved with a walk through the woods. Nature is a wonderful repellent to anxiety.”
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- “If you focus on tranquility, success and influence will follow. You cannot move forward and upward in life without the wisdom of relaxation.”
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- “Don’t allow stress to make your life pass by you. Stay in the moment and let go. Remind yourself that this moment is what everything else in life has brought you to.”
- “When in doubt, laugh. There is no better medicine for stress than pure, unfiltered laughter.”
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- “Stress is only stress. Feelings are only feelings. They are all processes happening in the brain. When you realize this, you are free.”
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- “You may be stressed, but once you engage in your hobby, the stress will melt away. If you don’t have a hobby, find one and get lost in it.”
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- “Don’t focus on perfection. You cannot achieve perfection and you will only find yourself feeling stressed out.”
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- “Forget what might go wrong and live your life. If you’re busy worrying about the potential outcome, you’ll miss enjoying the moment.”
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Conclusion
It’s natural to worry sometimes. Stress doesn’t have to be a negative feeling. But for those who struggle coping with stress, it’s important to speak with your doctor and get their opinion. Youth, in particular, can feel overwhelmed with stress following a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, family loss or act of violence in the community. If you’re feeling stressed, think about the quotes listed above and don’t forget to reach out for help.