Stress. Life's third guarantee. Just like death and taxes, everyone is going to have to deal with it at some point. But how? These are things you can do that no doctor or therapist will tell you.
1. Be Your Own Savior
There's a saying that goes, "No man is an island." That doesn't mean you can't try to be one, though. It is nice to be able to rely on others, but it's just as good to be able to handle a situation yourself. This is because your friends may not always be able to or even want to help you. Being able to say "I'm good" when everyone else abandons you is definitely a reliever of stress.
2. Play Video Games
Video games are a great escape from reality. Strategy games in particular force you to take your mind off of what (or who) is pissing you off. Just fire up SimCity or City Skylines. It never fails. Of course you can't go wrong with Tetris.
3. A Different Tune
Listen to a music genre you don't normally listen to. This writer likes rap and R&B. When times are rough, though, country music gives him a kick.
4. Brother From Another Spieces
Animals are natural therapy. Play with a cute, cuddly cat for a few minutes and see if you can stay angry afterwards. You almost certainly can't.
5. Trim Your Hedges
Some "friends" are only your friend because they know they know they can piss you off. You know who they are. Get rid of them. Throw them in the garbage and run away like Satan is chasing you. Also, keep your circle small and tight, because too many friends can also be stressful.
6. Be A Cushion Manager
The only thing more stressful than having money is not it. Try your best to save something. Anything. It can stack up quickly and you'll have a nice cushion before you know it. Don't just piss away money on crap now and you'll be able to buy your way out of trouble later.
7. If It Doesn't Make Dollars, It'd Better Make Cents Or Sense
It's okay to have a low-paying job that you like. It's also okay to have a high-paying job that you don't like. But having a low-paying job that you hate? That's a recipe for a mental break waiting to happen. Avoid that if you can.
8. It's As Easy As 1, 2...3?
Accountability is an excellent reliever of stress. This is because it gives you a sense of control. When stuff goes wrong, analyze the situation and ask yourself "what could I have done to change the outcome?" Even if it's not your fault, seeing how you could have positively affected something is empowering. You want that sense of control because you it's better to feel like you messed up than to feel like you were thrust into a situation that's beyond your control.
And those are some REAL ways to reduce and prevent stress. Stress is something you want as little of in your life. There are lots of ways to get it, but fortunately, there are just as many ways to get rid of it.
Until next time...
