Alright, now that you've challenged your brain and solved that Sudoku puzzle from yesterday, it's time to talk about the 4th best way to Maintain your Brain...
STRESS MANAGEMENT
Stress...we've all got it and we all handle it in different ways. Learning new ways to handle stressful situations can help you a lot when it comes to your mental health. I used to stress a lot, over the littlest things, and at times, my old habits still creep up on me. But throughout the years I've learned some tips that have helped me handle stressful situations much better. In no particular order...
1. Ask yourself if the situation will matter tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now or next year? Chances are, the answer is no. If it's yes, try some of the other ways.
2. Give yourself a time out.
I have 3 kids. I understand how stressful and crazy it can get. There were many times where I felt a time out was needed for ME, so i could cool off, relax, unwind, and come back to the situation with a better view. So, I started giving myself those time outs. Even if it was walking into my bedroom and screaming into the pillow, it helped. It also helped me stop yelling at the kids so much - which I used to feel guilty about EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT.
3. Take yourself out of the situation.
If your best friend came to you with the problem you were facing, what would you suggest to them? I know it's easier said than done, but take your own advice sometimes. You just might be right.
4. Identify what your stressors are, and get rid of them,
or at least don't let them control you like they do now.
This could be anything from friends & family to work & commutes. Anything.
If you can avoid the stress, avoid it.
(personal example - i hate to sit in traffic, so I'm at work by 6am everyday and out the door by 2:30pm everday. MOST the time there's rarely any traffic. SCORE!)
5. Is your to-do list a mile long like mine? Narrow it down to the 3 most important things.
Turn off social distractions like facebook and pinterest (but not this blog until you're done reading it ;) ) and don't open them up until you are DONE what's on your list. So many times I've had my to do list and was ready to go, but the dings of FB notifications started, and then I got a text on my phone, and before I knew it it was 5 hours later and my to-do list had just gotten longer.
Turn off all the distractions and focus.
6. So in #4 I told you to avoid the stressors if at all possible. "But Kristen, it's just not possible!" Okay, I get it. I have those kinds, too. This is where YOU have to do some changing and adapt to it. Maybe you aren't happy with your job. OK. Well, keep doing your best and working hard and putting in for promotions and soon enough you'll be noticed and moving on to bigger and better things. Don't get caught up in work drama; just go in, do your job, leave. Simple as that.
7. Accept that you aren't in control of everything and there are just some things you can't change.
It sucks, I know. But the truth hurts sometimes. You can't control the uncontrollable. If you're going through a situation like this, do your best to learn and grow from it.
"What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger." Believe in that.
1. Ask yourself if the situation will matter tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now or next year? Chances are, the answer is no. If it's yes, try some of the other ways.
2. Give yourself a time out.
I have 3 kids. I understand how stressful and crazy it can get. There were many times where I felt a time out was needed for ME, so i could cool off, relax, unwind, and come back to the situation with a better view. So, I started giving myself those time outs. Even if it was walking into my bedroom and screaming into the pillow, it helped. It also helped me stop yelling at the kids so much - which I used to feel guilty about EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT.
3. Take yourself out of the situation.
If your best friend came to you with the problem you were facing, what would you suggest to them? I know it's easier said than done, but take your own advice sometimes. You just might be right.
4. Identify what your stressors are, and get rid of them,
or at least don't let them control you like they do now.
This could be anything from friends & family to work & commutes. Anything.
If you can avoid the stress, avoid it.
(personal example - i hate to sit in traffic, so I'm at work by 6am everyday and out the door by 2:30pm everday. MOST the time there's rarely any traffic. SCORE!)
5. Is your to-do list a mile long like mine? Narrow it down to the 3 most important things.
Turn off social distractions like facebook and pinterest (but not this blog until you're done reading it ;) ) and don't open them up until you are DONE what's on your list. So many times I've had my to do list and was ready to go, but the dings of FB notifications started, and then I got a text on my phone, and before I knew it it was 5 hours later and my to-do list had just gotten longer.
Turn off all the distractions and focus.
6. So in #4 I told you to avoid the stressors if at all possible. "But Kristen, it's just not possible!" Okay, I get it. I have those kinds, too. This is where YOU have to do some changing and adapt to it. Maybe you aren't happy with your job. OK. Well, keep doing your best and working hard and putting in for promotions and soon enough you'll be noticed and moving on to bigger and better things. Don't get caught up in work drama; just go in, do your job, leave. Simple as that.
7. Accept that you aren't in control of everything and there are just some things you can't change.
It sucks, I know. But the truth hurts sometimes. You can't control the uncontrollable. If you're going through a situation like this, do your best to learn and grow from it.
"What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger." Believe in that.
8. Start exercising and eating right.
Feeling good about yourself will help a lot of weight get lifted off your shoulders. Don't drink when you're stressed out - that's not going to make the problem disappear. Go for a walk or run or to a kickboxing class, let off some steam, and return to the situation FRESH. Eat healthier, reduce caffeine and sugars and get enough sleep.
9. Take a break already!!!!!
My friends reading this are probably laughing out loud right now because I'm the worst when it comes to this. Rest & Relaxation is far from my vocabulary. I honestly just don't know how to do it! I'll go for a walk or listen to music...but I'm usually going for a walk and listening to personal development...i can't waste any time. I hate to (unless it's on my to-do list as mentioned above - oy!)!
10. Stop being a SuperHero.
Chances are you wear many hats. And if that's true, then chances are it's because you don't think anyone can do what you do as good as you. Am I right? Of course I'm right. Give it up and ask for help! We can't expect to be stress-free when we're trying to do it ALL plus some. It's okay to ask for help. Chances are when you ask for help, you'll get it. And chances are, the person who helps will do it better than you. And that's okay!
***Please remember I am not a specialist, Dr., therapist, psyciatrist, or anything along those lines.
I'm simply giving you some information that I've found helpful in keeping my mental health in check.***
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