A little stress is actually good for you but like anything, too much of something has the reverse effect. Stress that is too much for a person or a community will take a mental, physical, and spiritual toll on your overall health. Stress should be managed in order for depression or anxiety to be prevented.
So how should you do it then? The following are tips and advice to help manage stress.
Write it out, schedule it out.
It is best to write down everything that seems to be overwhelming. You will find things-to-do-list much easier to manage than having errands all crumpled up in your head. Writing down the tasks, and putting a specific schedule and time to do them, helps anyone manage activities one chunk at a time. Crossing out an activity that has already been accomplished is very rewarding and could actually help you feel more relaxed when doing the other tasks at hand.
One at a time works.
Focus and put all your attention specifically on one task at one time. It does not help to feel panicked about the other undone or to-do tasks. Thinking about them only adds unnecessary stress and might even undermine the one task you are attempting to accomplish at present.
Relax and take it slow.
At least, try not to expend too much energy on activities that are not high priorities. This is in order for your energy to not be easily expended on the tasks that are not that important, at least for now.
Delegate, delegate, delegate.
You don’t need to do everything all at once, and you don’t need to do everything on your own. Ask for help, get help, or pay for help. When there is a feeling of being overwhelmed that is cropping up, hire someone to mow the lawn or create your website. The feeling of being pressed to finish something on time will somehow be eliminated if tasks are delegated. It takes a load off unnecessary worry and anxiety. Moreover, it is easier checking up on how things are than worrying yourself sick doing everything on your own, all at once.
Give yourself a reward.
You deserve it. Acknowledging your accomplishments, no matter how big or small is an effort that is necessary before getting on to the next tasks and activities. It reduces stress and could even make you happier in doing the next task.
Give yourself a break.
You need it to be more productive. A ten to fifteen-minute break during your work is necessary. Go visit a café nearby, take a quick brisk walk, jump on a trampoline, sit outside in your garden, play with your pets…do anything to put your mind off work, at least for a while. This is necessary to refresh and recharge. You can also stay in your place of work and sit quietly with your eyes closed as you visualize a peaceful landscape or a relaxing scene. Your body doesn’t know the difference. This frees the stress from your muscles and your mind.
Relax and be cool. Doing so makes you healthier, happier, and a lot more productive.