We live in a world that rewards us to be stressed. It is almost like wearing a badge of honor if you can say that you are overloaded with work or other responsibilities. Let’s be honest—stress isn’t going anywhere, so let’s learn to manage it so it doesn’t take over.
What Even Is Stress?
Pretend your brain is a toddler or a drama queen. Whenever something mildly inconvenient happens— like spilling some coffee on favorite shirt or realizing you have 67 unread emails—your brain screams, “Oh no! The world is ending!” That’s stress. It’s your body’s way of responding to pressure, and while a little bit can be motivating at times (like getting you to finally start that paper that’s due tomorrow), too much can turn you into a frazzled mess.
Why Do We Stress?
Stress was super useful back in the day when our ancestors had to outrun saber-toothed tigers. But now, instead of wild animals, we’ve got traffic jams, work deadlines, and that one friend who always texts at 1 am. Your body can’t tell the difference between a real threat and an annoyance, so it reacts the same way: by raising your heart rate, pumping out stress hormones, and putting you in fight-or-flight mode.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Stress
Not all stress is bad! Some stress—like the kind you feel before a big game or performance—can actually boost your energy and focus. This is called eustress (pronounced “you-stress”), and it’s like a shot of adrenaline for your brain. But when stress sticks around too long, it becomes distress, and that’s when things get ugly. Think sleepless nights, constant worry, and the urge to scream into a pillow (or at the person who cut you off in traffic).
How to Tell if You’re Too Stressed
Tired all the time, even after sleeping? Snapping at people over the smallest things? Zoning out in front of the television when you have a mile long To-Do list? If you answered yes to any of these, you might be too stressed! But don’t panic (seriously, that’ll only make it worse). Let’s explore some ways to resist and maybe even ‘bust’ stress.
Fun Ways to Counter Stress
Dance Like No One’s Watching
Crank up your favorite songs and have a solo dance party in your living room. Not only does dancing release endorphins (those feel-good chemicals), but it’s also a great way to shake off a bad mood.
Laugh at Everything
Watch a funny movie, scroll through memes, or just think about that one time….you know the one…where you laughed with your friends. Laughter really is the best medicine for stress!
Pet a Furry Friend
If you’ve got a pet, give them some extra love. If not, visit a friend who has one or, in a pinch, watch cute animal videos online. Studies show that spending time with animals can lower stress levels. Plus, who can be stressed when they’re looking at a fluffy kitten?
Get Creative
Whether it’s painting, knitting, or building the world’s most complicated Lego set, getting creative is a great way to distract your mind and relax.
Breathe
Sure, everyone tells you to take deep breaths when you’re stressed, and I don’t want you to click away just yet. There is so much science behind breathing and mindfulness and meditation. Mindfulness is about being present. Meditation is a tool that helps you develop more mindfulness. And breathing is often one of the first signals to your brain that there isn’t a need to panic right now. My most recent read about stress (The Stress Prescription), I learned that cultivating more mindfulness has benefits that last longer, even if you aren’t practicing every day. Even a few breaths here and there or some focused effort over the weekend has residual effects that can last.
Final Thoughts: Stress Less, Live More
Stress is always going to be around. But the key is learning how to manage it so it doesn’t take over your life. Remember, a little stress can push you to do great things, but too much can turn you into a grumpy bug. So, take a deep breath, laugh at the absurdity of it all, and with a little mindfulness here and there, you can be too balanced to be bothered!
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