Stop stressing

During your life there are many events that can cause stress. The death of a loved one. A divorce or resignation. But the most common is stress due to a high workload. Do you feel that you are under stress? Take your complaints seriously and do something about it.

• Schedule free time. Don’t look for a lonely hour in your agenda, but plan a free moment in advance. That moment is for you and not for filling out your tax forms. Make an appointment with others, then you cannot cancel so easily.
• Stop ‘must’. It seems like everyone expects so much from you. That everything will go wrong if you do nothing. Remember that you are not indispensable. Often it is not the others that you need so much from. Usually you need so much of yourself. You don’t have to be perfect. Adjust your goals so that they are achievable.
• Eat healthy and exercise. Stress makes you tired, it makes sense that you prefer to plop on the couch with a pizza. At the time, that may seem like indulgence, but in the long run, stress makes you more likely. Make sure you stay healthy, so that your mind and body can better withstand stress. Exercise gives you more energy and it also reduces stress.
• No coffee, cigarettes, alcohol and sleeping pills. They are popular remedies to feel less stressed. But unfortunately they don’t work. Ultimately, substances such as nicotine and caffeine in tobacco and coffee make your body feel even more tense. Alcohol and sleeping pills help you fall asleep, but you get less sound sleep. While you need this to process all the impressions of the day.
• Delete activities. Are you really too busy? Look objectively at all your activities. Can’t you delete something? You are not responsible for everything. Don’t think you’re weak if you decide to work less. Remember that your boss will benefit more from an employee who does a normal amount of work than one who is sitting at home with a burnout.
• Talk to others. Don’t be left alone with your problems. At work, you can make it clear to your boss or colleagues that you have too much work lying around. Or that it’s too chaotic. Chances are they haven’t even noticed that your work is overwhelming you.
• Say ‘No’. Also choose for yourself. Set limits on what you do and don’t want to do. It is very frustrating when other people rule your life. Don’t immediately say ‘yes’ when someone wants something from you that you really don’t feel like doing. At least ask for time to think, that makes it easier to cancel.
• Make a plan. Start the day with a to-do list. Write here what you have to do that day. It gives you an overview and guidance. You can also make a list for the next day at the end of a working day. That helps you to let go of your work in the evening. If you still think about something in your spare time, write it down immediately.
• Think about your successes. You may be in a difficult situation right now, but you can handle it. You’ve already faced hotter fires. Be proud of what you have achieved so far. You have so many good qualities.
• Relax. Make sure you have regular moments of relaxation. It doesn’t matter how you do that. Do breathing exercises, go for a walk. Many people relax with music, a book or a long extended bath.
• Recognize stress. Stress is different for everyone. Not everyone has a headache, one loses weight, the other is stuffed. Pay close attention to the signals your body is giving you. Learn from past stressful situations so you can intervene quickly if it happens again.

Have you tried all this, but to no avail? You may be suffering from chronic stress. Then go to your doctor and seek professional help.