Imagine a cupboard.
You are stuffing in it piles and piles of clothes.
You keep adjusting, making space by folding some or squeezing some in the corners.
Each day you bring in more piles to stuff inside.
What will happen in the end?
There will come a day when the cupboard’s door won’t shut. And all the extra layers of clothes – squeezed, mounted, adjusted will fall out.
Why did this happen?
Because you tried to keep in more than the cupboard could store.
And this is exactly what stress is.
When you are aren’t able to handle what life puts you through, stress happens.
It could be financial pressure, personal relationships, professional expectations or anything that matters to you. When you aren’t able to cope with the pressure, you feel stressed or stuffed, just like the cupboard.
If you let the stress overpower you, just like the piles of clothes, your reasoning will fall down. You won’t be able to manage the pressure and break down. This stress could turn into anxiety.
Just whilst this blog lasts, keep all the stress you are dealing with aside and read on to find how you can learn to manage stress and work on it.
1. Put the problem in perspective
We aren’t telling you to avoid stress by running away from the problem. No, you need to face it and work on it.
Ignorance can lead to more harm than you could realise.
Whatever issue is making you stressed, just take a moment to put it into perspective. Ask yourself: Why this happened? Is there anything you can do about it? Will this matter in a year? Or five years?
2. List some solutions
If the problem is in your control, then list down the solutions or possibilities.
Make a plan of what steps you can take to avoid any unfavorable outcomes. Break the solutions into smaller parts, so it seems manageable.
It is best to initially start with a pen and paper in hand.
3. Express your feelings
If something is bothering you and you think you need help then definitely reach out.
Talk to people you trust – friends, family, or even a psychologist or counsellor. Matthew Akal from IMBT is a professional stress therapist in London. He follows an integrative mindfulness therapy to extract out your real side through a personal journey towards healing.
4. Give yourself some rest
Stressors can pop up every day, which doesn’t mean you don’t give yourself a break.
Relax and recharge every day with some music, meditation, writing, bubble bath, or any activity you cherish.
This won’t just rejuvenate your mind but will also help you look at the bigger picture. It will clear away the dust and put things in real perspective.
5. Set reasonable expectations
Setting unrealistic expectations is the major cause of unwanted stress.
Accept situations that aren’t in your control, things you cannot manage right now, and forgive yourself.
It is okay to say no. it is okay to not give your best shot.
Build yourself and work on yourself to become better until this situation doesn’t burden you.
No matter how much stressed you are, it is always good to seek help.
Professionals can help you the best in managing and reducing stress and anxiety.
Are you in need of help?
Reach out to Matthew Akal, stress therapist in London. He finds the creative and healing potential inside his patients through Integrative Mindfulness Therapy. The healing journey is towards wholeness and picking the problem from the root.
The process has proven to facilitate creative therapeutic change in a time efficient process.