AM I LOSING MY MIND? IDENTIFYING STRESSORS AND MANAGING STRESS
I know what it’s like for you, that tightness your chest feels, the never ending feeling of exhaustion that seems to not go away. You’re not losing your mind I promise you.
Dear person behind the screen, from here on out I’ll be holding your hand as we go along, to help you gain back your sane and stress-free life once more.
Maybe once or twice you’ve probably used the word ‘stress’ and ‘stressor’ interchangeably. Not to worry, I’d be showing you how they differ just about now.
Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension that can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry or nervous. While Stressor refers to that event or situation that stimulates stress.
In much simpler terms ‘stressors are what causes stress’.
Oftentimes, stress increases with age and that much is true. But you should know that; people vary and therefore, not every potential stressor causes stress for everyone.
What you may interpret as stress, may not be what I interpret as stress.
It may never have occurred to you that the bus you commute to work everyday can be a stressor, but to someone who is claustrophobic, a ride in an overcrowded bus can be a significant stressor.
There are so many other situations similar to this, and it may or may not be currently affecting your daily life.
Some stressors that you might have experienced include:
Death of a loved one
Loss of job
Birth of a child
Marriage
Change in career
Migration
Meeting a deadline etc.
Not to worry, managing stress is quite achievable, you just have to think of it as something that you can and should do!
That overwhelming feeling you always have at the pit of your stomach? I’d like to help you overcome it and get you back to your old self; one with vigour ready to take the world by the cuff.
ORGANISE, PLAN, SCHEDULE, CREATE TASKS: All of these come down to one thing; tackling stress prone situations with productivity. When you make a habit of creating somewhat clear road maps of how you intend your day to go, it helps you put a tracker on your productivity.
‘A house is built not one day but several days that turn into weeks…months…and even years’. don’t you think that’s how habits are formed? When you plan your day, you spend less time working on unproductive tasks, your mind and body stays busy and gives no room for stressors to stress you out! Stress-0, you-1.
FAMILY, FRIENDS, TRIBE, SUPPORT SYSTEM: You can’t do it alone. You need at least one person who doesn’t think you’re crazy, but never fails to mention when you begin to act crazy. Having supportive family and friends in your corner is one of the most natural and effective way to relieve stress. They not only take your mind off ‘stressors’ they also help you be accountable to healing, like in the case of losing a loved one or loss of job. Get a support system today! Make that call! Text that friend! Join that community! Build that tribe! You really can’t do life alone.
FUN, HOBBIES, RELAXATION, PREMIUM ENJOYMENT: A famous philosopher once said ‘Overthinking nor dey solve problem’
- Prof. Zlatan.I.Belay
And that dear reader, should be your mantra all the time…well sometimes, you still have to meet deadlines. Hehe! That’s on a lighter note.
Dear person behind the screen, go out, have fun, netflix and chill, go on friendly dates, love your inner child, he/she is very starved of affection. It will help you heal faster, manage stress, prevent a mid-life crisis and keep you sane. You deserve premium enjoyment. Go get it!
Do you believe me now when I say you’re not losing your mind? Everyone goes through stressful periods in their life, but what makes you different is how quickly you recognize stressors and do something about it.
You’re doing amazing I promise you, and while you can always do better, you’re not doing so bad either.
Take it easy on yourself.
Eat healthy food, exercise regularly, meditate, set realistic goals, take deep breaths. You’ll be just fine.
By:
Animhiaga Eseose Cecilia-Roxanne
Freelance Content-copywriter
IG: a._.eseose
REFERENCES
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://writingcooperative.com/30-examples-of-opening-sentences-that-pack-a-punch-796adda163d8&ved=2ahUKEwi7kt3ftt_1AhWM4IUKHfXYCwYQFnoECCgQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1wmDy6_jDkLpp3x5kc7DO7 - The Writing Cooperative.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stressor&ved=2ahUKEwjSyIC7huL1AhXnz4UKHU8oB2QQFnoECDwQBQ&usg=AOvVaw1UyMRymnldRtowb-2Bozh5 - Merriam Webster dictionary
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.concordia.ca/cunews/offices/provost/health/topics/stress-management/examples-stressors.html&ved=2ahUKEwjSyIC7huL1AhXnz4UKHU8oB2QQFnoECC0QAQ&usg=AOvVaw0eOQ0c5m8nKwQ5IXRPjLky- University of Concordia
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-stressors-3145149&ved=2ahUKEwjSyIC7huL1AhXnz4UKHU8oB2QQFnoECCkQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1gOSCDMite7PLxASf_S-uy- Verywell mind
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/mind-body/10-simple-ways-to-cope-with-stress&ved=2ahUKEwjE69TUjeL1AhV3_bsIwqBycQFnoECDEQBQ&usg=AOvVaw1C6_kByymT8RKMz5kDHIhW- Sutter health
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org - Mayo health clinic
Oxford English Dictionary
Ale yi by Zlatan Ibile.
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