Feel over-stressed, over-worked, and overwhelmed? You are not alone. In fact, a staggering 73% of adults in the U.S. experience psychological symptoms associated with stress (The American Institute of Stress). Whether your stress comes from work, finances, your relationship, your health, or any other source, there are options available to you. Let’s take a look at some stress management strategies, starting with tough-yet-necessary life decisions.
Let Go of Commitments You No Longer Have Time for
Stress management and time management often go hand-in-hand. If you feel stretched for time or sleep-deprived, you may need to let go of certain commitments. That book club you once had time for may not suit your current schedule. The animal rescue organization you’ve helped for years may be too much responsibility for you to handle right now.
Even if you find joy in these activities, you may not have the time and energy for them that you once had. Letting go and freeing up more time for yourself will give you a chance to recharge. If your schedule frees up again, you can consider working them back in.
Evaluate Your Social Group
Stress is just as contagious as positivity. Is there someone in your life who constantly brings you down? If so, you may want to distance yourself from them. As much as you may want to support the other person, you have to think of what’s best for your mental health. If their negative energy is dragging you down, you need to do something to lift yourself back up.
Find a New Job or New Fulfillment in Your Current Job
In a stress report from the American Psychological Association, money and work are two of the most common sources of stress in America. If you feel overworked or underappreciated at your job, it may be time for a change. That could be a complete change of employers, or it could be a new development in your current job. Perhaps you could work in a different department or swift from day shift to night shift. Maybe you could learn a new skill that would lead to other career opportunities in the future. These moves are never easy, but they can make a big change in your stress levels.
Put Yourself First
Your stress may not entirely be your own. It may be a combination of stress from other people that you feel connected to or responsible for. The most important lesson in stress management is to put yourself first. When you are in a good place mentally and emotionally, you are better equipped to help others. Putting your needs on the backburner will only add to your stress.
If you want personalized stress management solutions, call Perspectives Counseling Centers to learn about our therapy programs. We offer depression counseling, anxiety counseling, family counseling, couples counseling, and other services across several therapist offices in Michigan. Contact the location nearest to you to get started.