Five Steps to Help Deal with Stress

STEP 1: Breathe - In the Correct Way

(Source: averymassage.com)

As silly as it sounds, the first step in coping stress is to mindfully breathe using your diaphragm, a.k.a. the belly breathing. Take a long breath. After which, hold your breath, then slowly breathe out, pause and repeat the process. If you want a precise timing, try “4-4-6-2 Breath” which is 4 seconds, 4 seconds, 6 seconds, and 2 seconds respectively.

STEP 2: Identify the Source

(Source: pixabay.com)

Breathing exercise is not the only cure for stress. It’s just like taking a painkiller wouldn’t cure your wound, it just soothes the pain. Find the source and solve the problem. Is it because of your favorite drama stopped at the climax and you need to wait for a week for the next episode? Come up with your conspiracy and join a forum discussion! Is it because of your 15-page assignment is due tomorrow and what you have is a blank Word document? Start now and just do whatever you can, who knows? You might be able to finish it on time! There’s always a way to solve a problem, and avoiding is not a good option. 

STEP 3: Look at the Source in a Different Perspective 

(Source: pixabay.com)

Remember that the assignments are never meant to torture you. Take it as an opportunity to learn beyond the textbook. An assignment is not just about measuring your knowledge of the course subject. It also a good way to learn self-management, and skills such as time management, prioritising, organisational, being resourceful  and analytical, plus many more things which will also be important in your future. Try to not just focus on getting rid of the assignment, take some time to look at the other skills that you might be developed on. (pssst, I suggested time management first)

STEP 4: Ask Yourself HOW instead of WHY

(Source: pixabay.com)

When you are feeling stressed, try to replace your self-dialogue from “Why others can do better?” “Why others have such a wonderful life?” into “How can I do things better?” “How can I achieve a wonderful life?”. Ask pro-active questions and you’ll end up with workable solutions.

STEP 5: Find a Realistic Solution and Execute!

(Source: pixabay.com)

So you have asked yourself the HOW questions, and I suppose you’ll eventually come up with a solution. If you have gone through STEP 1 to 4, yet still feeling stressed, try to discuss this with a person you trust, your family, your friend, or a counsellor. They might be able to help you out. Gather the advice and come up with a plan. Lastly, execute it!

Bonus Tip: Munch on some dark chocolate, they can help reduce stress too~

*nom nom nom*

(Source: pixabay.com)