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Five simple stress-busting tips
We just can’t get away from stress. Just about a couple
of weeks ago the Philippines was once again fortunate to be
on the path of a tropical storm. It wasn’t even a super
typhoon but it still packed a punch strong enough to knock
down no less than ten electric posts in our immediate area.
We had no power for three whole days, and the worst part was
that I had a fast-approaching deadline that demanded the use
of a computer and the Internet. So what was I to do? Well,
to put it lightly, there was nothing much I could do at all
except curse the electric company with a thousand and one
horrible deaths. And believe me, my family shared the same
sentiment.
So there we were, parents and offspring, dining by candlelight
for three days, hoping for a flicker of light from above.
I was angry, desperate and stressed out but after two whole
days without power, we resigned ourselves to our fate and
decided to stop calling the electric company with threats
to life and property. That was when things started to get
better. Without having to worry much about when the power
will return, I started to enjoy things that I would commonly
miss. For instance, I was able to spend more time talking
to my parents and brother. And the more I talked to them,
the more I felt relaxed. I’m sure they felt the same
way too. So I guess that three days of darkness wasn’t
all too bad at all. In fact, it taught me to look at the bright
side of things.
Though stress is something we can’t avoid, reducing it
to a more manageable level is highly possible. And if we can
keep a proper mindset, dealing with stress can make things
even more enjoyable. Here is a list of things you can do when
you are feeling stressed out:
1. Listen to your favorite music. Have you noticed how you
often feel sad when everything is too silent but you suddenly
feel alive when you hear a lively music? Music is a powerful
tool that can influence our moods. Nature recordings such
as oceans and rivers have been known to bring a soothing,
calming effect. Find out what works for you and keep it handy.
2. Take a dip in warm water. Nothing beats a soak in warm
water to soothe tired nerves and aching muscles. Warm water
calms you by increasing blood circulation.
3. Talk to somebody. One of the best ways to prevent stress
from building up is to talk to somebody. Sometimes tension
builds up when we keep our emotions to ourselves. Having someone
whom you can share your anxiety with can help you understand
and face your own fears.
4. Take a walk. When you can’t stand it anymore, just
walk away. Studies show that a 15-minute walk could have a
greater calming effect than a tranquilizer. A walk in the
park is always a good way to clear your head when you are
about to blow your top.
5. Breathe deeply. When anxiety builds up, the heart races
and breathing becomes rapid and shallow. By breathing slowly
and deeply, you can calm yourself almost instantly. The technique
is to breathe in through your nose, expanding your abdomen
and your rib cage. Then release the breath through your nose,
more slowly than you took it in. *
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