Seven Tips for a Stress-Free Life
No one's life is perfect. Even models have bad days. It's inevitable that once in a while a stressful situation will arise making us feel like we're about to explode. It's frustrating yes, especially since most of the time we feel there's little we can do about the situation itself. However, what we can do is learn how to deal with it. Work, relationships, etc. may have stress written all over them, but before you fall victim to anxiety, see how you can take things with a grain of salt.
Don't Take It Personally.
Whatever it is that's causing you distress, don't doubt your capabilities or your self-worth. It's normal to have hardships-and fallbacks-so don't assume you're lacking in character. You are good enough: remember that and keep your head held high.
Be Self-Aware.
Being aware of your thoughts can help avoid the snowball effect that ultimately leads to stress. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff bestseller author Richard Carlson, Ph.D advises "to notice what's happening in your head before your thoughts have a chance to build any momentum." Once you find the source of your stress, write it down and take care of it one step at a time.
Change Your Perspective.
Sometimes even the smallest things can seem like big issues when you're so immersed in what's going on. Take a step back and re-evaluate the problem. Maybe it really doesn't merit pulling one's hair? Try to see the positive in the situation-for one, you learn something from it and another, it only makes you stronger. If you can't find the positive try to think of five things in your life you're grateful for. Even if it's as simple as the pretzel vendor giving you a smile or the man who opened the door for you at Starbuck's.
Visualize Yourself in a Tranquil Place.
Whether it be a quiet retreat surrounded by Jasmine trees or a hammock overlooking the sea, we all have imaginary getaways that "take us" into a place of peacefulness. If you're feeling stressed, allow yourself to visit that haven of yours and once you've taken some time to yourself, you will feel more at ease with whatever caused you stress earlier.
Ask Yourself, "Will This Matter in a Year?"
When you're stressed because of a disagreement gone bad, a missed deadline, or because your car won't start on the day of your interview, it feels like your whole world is crumbling before your eyes. But think about it, in the scheme of things, what we sometimes allow to stress us out will not have any importance to us in the future. You will most likely reconcile the argument, catch up on your late work, and nail the next interview. Do a little time-travel in your head and think about what this problem will mean in the future. If it will be irrelevant, just breathe and let it go.
Take an Aromatherapy Bath.
Not only will a bath allow you to get away from the daily grind, aromas help with relaxation, improve your mood, and reduce stress. Place five to 10 drops of your favorite aromatherapy oil (although the best for relaxing are said to be lavender and chamomile) in your bathtub. Then, take a pillow, seal it in a plastic bag and use it as a headrest. You can turn off the lights and listen to relaxing music, or otherwise read that long-awaited book.
Maintain a Healthy Support System.
Friendly interactions release hormones and pheromones that cause you to feel joy and reduce stress. And what better kind of stress therapy than spending time with those you know and love, free of charge? So go ahead, give your friends a call and invite them to a picnic, your favorite TV show marathon, anything to your heart's desire and release those chemicals that will give you the boost you need and deserve.
Whether it's changing your perspective or getting away for a little while, allow yourself to indulge in these small treats that will go a long way. Don't let stress take control of your life and, in the words of Dale Carnegie, "stop worrying and start living."
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