Positive stress for personal growth

Stress is defined as anything that poses a challenge or a threat to our well-being. Stress can get you going and is good for you, and without stress our lives will be boring. It can also undermine both our mental and physical health. Individual responds to stress in different ways that affect their environment. Its normal part of life that can help us to grow and learn or it can cause us significant problems. It is referred as silent killer and can harm us if is often overlooked effects which can introduce strain and pain into your daily lives. It can affect your work, friendships, relationships, school work, and even sleep habits.

Stress management strategies

Avoid unnecessary stress:

• Learn to say no- know your limits and stick to them.
• Avoid people who stress you out-if someone consistently stresses in your life you can turn around the situation. Limit the time you spend with the person who stresses you out or you can end the relationship permanently.
• Avoid hot button topics-try to avoid the topics that will upset you like religion or politics, and the best thing you can do to avoid the topics is to excuse yourself when it’s that topic of discussion.

Change the situation:

• Manage your time better-poor time management can cause you stress. But if your plan ahead and make sure you don’t overextend yourself, you can alter the amount of stress you re under.
• Be willing to compromise-when you ask someone to change their behavior be willing to change or do the same.
• Be more assertive-confront the problems head on and do you best to anticipate and prevent them.

Adapt to the stressor:

• Look at the big picture-evaluate the stressful situation and ask yourself how important it will be in the long run.
• Re-frame the problem-try to view stressful situation from positive way.
• Focus on the positive-when you are stress take a moment to reflect on all things you appreciate in life like positive qualities and gifts.

Accept the things you can’t change:

• Look for the upside-when facing challenges look at them as opportunities for personal growth.
• Learn to forgive-free yourself from negative energy by forgiving and move on.
• Don’t try to control the uncontrollable-many things in life are not in our control like the behavior of the people. Focus on the things you can control.

Adopt a healthy lifestyle:

• Get enough sleep-enough sleep fuels your mind.
• Exercise regularly- make time for at least 30 minutes of exercise 3 times a week.
• Eat a healthy diet- be mindful of what you eat and start your day right with the breakfast of nutritious meals.

Make time for fun and relaxation:

• Connect with others- spend time with positive people who motivate you.
• Keep your sense of humor- be able to laugh at yourself.
• Set aside relaxation time-put rest and relaxation in your daily schedule.

Stress has driven evolutionary change and that makes the best species that adapt to stress  to survive