7 Tips on How to Manage Stressful Situations

In this post, I want to share my tips with you on how to manage stressful situations. Sometimes life throws you curve balls. Sometimes you think; pshh! Is that all you’ve got?? Ha! Other times you think; how am I going to make it through this day never mind the next few months? Life presents these situations to us for a reason. We dont always know why, or what lesson we’re meant to learn from them, and that my dear friends is where the adventure begins!

My own experience

Not so long ago I was catapulted into a rather stressful situation. I really thought that the only way to get through it was to give up. Put my hands in the air and surrender to the stress and anxiousness that seemed to engulf me on a daily basis.

After about 2 weeks of being in this situation and chatting with my beautiful tribe of Lovelies, I realised (with their help) that I have two options in this predicament: I can give in to the pain and anguish that was weighing me down so heavily; or I could take a deep breath, muster up all the strength and courage and turn around and face this situation head on.

I decided to do the latter. After making this decision, life became easier – almost over night. Yes the stress and negative emotions were still there on a daily basis. However knowing that I had made a choice and actively put my whole being and support behind this decision, it had put my mind at rest a little. I now had a goal to work towards. And after some time, the rest of the plan fell into place almost automatically. The pieces of the puzzle just seemed to click into place as though they had always been there.

The damaging effects of stress

Putting your body under severe amounts of stress for a prolonged period of time is never a good idea, whether its emotional, mental or physical. Lets be honest though, sometimes these situations are unavoidable and we have to accept and deal with them the best way we know how.

Obviously if you can avoid this stressful situation, or shorten the length of it so your mind and body are subjected to it for a shorter amount of time, this is definitely preferable. However, if you know you’re in it for the long haul and you have no control over how long it will continue for, then here are some things to do on a daily basis to make sure you can get through these life lessons without too much damage being inflicted on your mind or body:

7 Tips on how to manage stressful situations

1. Sleep

Getting good quality sleep is equally important to getting sufficient sleep. While you’re sleeping your body is repairing and rejuvenating itself. While you’re off in dreamland, your subconscious mind is busy accepting and processing everything that has happened.

2. Eat properly and drink enough water

Following a well balanced eating plan and drinking plenty of water is essential for maintaining a healthy body and lifestyle.

3. Partake in relaxing activities

When you participate in relaxing activities, you temporarily forget about all the stresses in your daily life. Stress can have a major impact on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Do things that you enjoy doing and that brings you happiness.

4. Smile, even if its forced for now

It takes far more muscles to frown than it does to smile. Smiling will gradually change your mental mindset about the situation. Have you ever tried to smile and be grumpy at the same time? Smile and think about something positive, something that you can look forward to, whether its light at the end of the tunnel or something small in the now, that brings you joy. This is a very important one to do, don’t under estimate the importance of a positive mindset.

5. Distract yourself with activities you enjoy

This could be escaping into a good book, exercising, getting out in nature, and inhaling some fresh clean air. Or, you can take a long, hot ,candle lit bubble bath with your favourite music playing in the background (one of my personal favourites).

6. Set up a good night time routine

If this situation you find yourself in is going to be something long term that you absolutely cannot avoid, then as mentioned previously, sleep is vital. Getting into a good bed time routine is so important in terms of setting your body clock up correctly. Getting your body and mind into a routine and helping it relax before bed, is key to getting good quality sleep.

• If possible, have a relaxing bath just before bed. If you dont have access to a bath, soak your feet and hands in some hot water. Add bubbles or an essential oil (for example lavender) to help induce relaxation and calmness.
• Meditate before bed time, drink a warm drink, a herbal tea, or horlicks. Preferably not something with caffeine or sugar in it as the aim is to get you more sleepy, not wake you up or send your blood sugar levels shooting through the roof. Pukka Tea’s have a lovely one called Night Time teas which contains relaxing and calming herbs. This is one of my favourites too. You may even want to simplify it and have a glass of warm milk.
• Try and switch off all electronic devices one to two hours before bed. If this is not possible, see if you can invest in a pair of blue blocking glasses which cuts out the blue screen light that keeps your brain awake hours after you’ve switched everything off.

7. Don’t forget about self care or self love

Looking after yourself in stressful situations is so important. Taking care of these small tasks will make a big difference in your overall appearance, as well as how you feel about yourself. Its so easy to stop caring about your appearance when something like his has taken over your thought processes for every waking moment.

But its vital to keep up with these little tasks during this time. Brush your teeth and hair, take time to do some self grooming, put some make up on, or take the time to choose a tie and shirt combo. Your body will thank you for doing these small little things for it.

Much Gratitude

I would like to thank the universe for sending me this life lesson. Yes it was tough and challenging and there were days when I truly thought it was impossible to continue. But I persevered and pushed myself to see it through to the end. I took the time to find out what the life lesson was that I needed to learn so that I do not have to repeat this experience again.

I am stronger, wiser and more in love with life than I have ever been before. Conquering this challenge has empowered me, it has given me more self confidence and more self esteem.

What did you do to survive a stressful situation in your life? I would love to hear from you if you have any tips for our readers that could help them through a potentially difficult time in their lives…

Sent with Love, Light and Inner Strength,

Anthea