Stress is one of the biggest causes of illness in today’s modern world. For young people especially, the pressures of work, relationships, family, school, and other life events can pile up and make you feel completely overwhelmed. While activities such as meditating, eating well, and relaxing are important, there are other things you can do to cope with stress as a young adult. Below are a few of them.
Take Charge
Stress often occurs when we lose power within ourselves. In other words, it happens when we allow an external person or situation to have control over us. We feel at the mercy of deadlines, people, and circumstances that seem beyond our control. Therefore, one of the first ways to cope with stress is to take charge. Realize that you have the power to change the situation and that there are always solutions. Taking charge is about being in the driver’s seat and finding ways to create a situation that serves your well-being. Your ultimate aim is to strike a balance between getting things done and finding peace within.
Talk to Someone
Part of taking charge should also include talking to someone. Bottling up your stress isn’t healthy, and speaking to someone can help you get things off your chest. Depending on who you talk to, they may even have some suggestions for how you can re-arrange or change things in your life. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or a mental health professional from the likes of Ignite Teen Treatment, talking about your stress can go a long way to helping you cope.
De-Select
De-selecting is a process of getting rid of activities, obligations, or tasks that are contributing to your stress. It might involve putting something aside for a while, or it might require withdrawing from social engagements. Whatever it is, create a list of things that you could put on the back burner until your stressful period abates. De-selecting can be incredibly empowering as it puts you in control of what you do and don’t want to engage with.
Carve Out ‘Me’ Time
While you’re in the process of creating a healthier schedule for yourself, it’s also important to include ‘me’ time. Whether it’s 30 minutes per day of relaxation or quiet time, an important element of de-stressing is to take the gasket off of things you need to do. Even if your stress isn’t due to work or school pressures, it’s important to create space in your schedule that’s just for you. Your ‘me’ time could consist of your favorite hobby or simply relaxing with a cup of tea.
Let Loose
Having fun and letting loose is another important element of coping with stress. This includes exercise, laughing with friends, dancing, or having fun in whatever way you can. The important thing about letting loose is that you’re being free and allowing yourself to decompress through fun and enjoyment. A build-up of stress can result in tension, headaches, and a low mood, so try to find ways to let loose on a regular basis.
Engage in Self-Care
While the above points are all elements of self-care, it’s important to be cognizant of this as a daily practice. Self-care involves putting your needs first and finding ways to eat well and get plenty of rest. But it also involves creating boundaries in your life so that you say no when you need to, and you don’t take on too many things for other people. Self-care, when done properly, can stop stress in its tracks and see you not just surviving but thriving.
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