Let’s face it, we have all had to deal with some stressful situations at one time in our lives. Stress sucks, but if you know how to deal with stress effectively, you’re already winning the game of life. Today, I want to share ten ways to deal with stress in life, at work, in relationships, and more.
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causes of stress
Here are just a few examples of situations that cause stress. Of course, there are many more, and for some people, something small, like changing a hairstyle, can cause extreme amounts of stress. I used to stress myself silly when I had to get a haircut. True story.
Other causes of stress include:
- job loss
- death of a loved one
- moving to a new city/country
- divorce
- having a baby
- getting married
- financial hardship
- relationship breakdown
According to webmd.com, these are just a few of the many causes. I love their site as it offers so much valuable information.
Now, we’re not going to go through each cause of stress, but the way to deal with stress is pretty much the same across the board. The way I handle it, anyway. I hope it works for you too!
Unhealthy Ways of Dealing with Stress
First, let’s look at some unhealthy ways of dealing with stress.
Many go off on drinking benders, some will take up smoking (if they’ve quit for a while), and then some will lash out at their loved ones.
Some of us don’t deal with stress well at all and have mental or nervous breakdowns. Sadly, some even commit suicide.
In any of these extreme cases, please seek professional help. There are so many counselors worldwide who can help you right online. Please check out online-therapy.com and ask to speak to someone who can help you deal with your issues.
Please!!
Anyway, the drinking, smoking, yelling, fighting, lashing out…none of these methods work. These are band-aids and toxic, and they are doing nothing but causing even more problems.
They just add to the stress you are already feeling.
They may be good temporary fixes, but the fact remains that your problem or issue is still there, and you still have to deal with it. Also, keep in mind that when you lash out at a loved one, angry, hurtful words cause more damage than you know.
Please don’t do that.
How to deal with stress effectively
I want to break this down into a few different stressful situations you may be dealing with, and then I’ll share ten ways to deal with stress. Let’s take some of the causes of stress listed above and have a look at how we can handle them.
Dealing with stress from a job loss
I remember back at the beginning of my hairstyling career, I was at this one amazing salon for almost two years when one day, out of the blue, the manager fired me. No reason or rhyme.
She simply didn’t like me and got rid of me.
I was devastated! I didn’t see it coming. I cried and freaked out for days. This was my only source of income, and I was a single mom at the time. Not only that but finding good-paying salon jobs in my city was super hard!
But I did find one after only two weeks. And it turned out to be ten times better than the salon I was fired from.
My being fired led me to a better job that I would not have even looked for had I stayed at the other place. Everything happens for a reason.
If you are experiencing a job loss, you must know that something better is on the way. Because it is! Or maybe this job loss is forcing you to have a deep look inside yourself, and maybe it’s time for you to chase your passion, start your own business, or become a freelancer.
The sky is the limit. Yes, this job loss will hit you hard financially, but have faith and know that something better is on the way.
In the meantime, look at other ways you can make money while you are actively either looking for work or chasing your dreams. There are many ways!
Here are just a few:
- have a yard sale
- sell stuff you don’t want or need anymore
- look for simple part-time jobs
- connect with old bosses and see what’s available
- sell your kids (ha!! kidding!!)
There are ways to make money if you look hard enough. Be proactive. Let people know you lost your job (and don’t be embarrassed- it happens to many of us!), and they can get the word out to people they know who might be able to help you!!
And stay in faith. Faith will be your best friend.
Dealing with stress from a divorce or relationship breakdown
This one is a tough one because it hurts our hearts too. The feelings of grief and sadness are sometimes so unbearable and can last a really long time if you don’t get a handle on it soon enough.
It also causes a great deal of stress. For many, the stress isn’t just the separation; it could also mean financial hardship as well. It’s a double whammy if you will. Ouch!
First, let’s deal with the emotional stress caused by the breakup
This is the only life you’ve known for so many years with this person. How can you go on without them? What will life be like without them? How can this happen?
Well, first of all, when a relationship ends, someone in the union isn’t always happy. Or maybe both of you weren’t happy but just pretending to be. Going through the motions, if you will.
This is a blessing in disguise, though I know you don’t see it like that right now. Someone finally pulled the plug on something that probably should have ended a long time ago.
It’s time to move on to happier days ahead, and they will come. Trust that they will.
I mean, think about it: You were in this relationship for a long time, and no one was happy. What’s the point of that??
Grieve the ending and move on, waiting in anticipation of good times ahead!
How to deal with financial stress from a divorce or breakup
I’m not gonna lie and say this is going to be easy. Is it ever? If it’s an ugly divorce, money always seems to be on the chopping block because of it.
You cannot let the weight of this financial stress burden you too heavily. You have to believe that everything always works out in the end. While you’re waiting for things to work out, be proactive in managing your finances and your incoming income.
Do what you have to do to stay afloat during this stressful time (wait, I don’t mean murder for hire or prostitution. those never end well).
And keep the faith. You’re going to be ok. You have to believe that.
How to deal with the stress of moving to a new city/country
Ooooph, I know this one all too well. Do you know my full story?
Well, in a nutshell, in 2015, I packed up two suitcases, bought a one-way ticket to Guatemala (from my hometown in Northern Ontario, Canada), and flew off to the great unknown. I didn’t have a single solitary clue what I was doing, and it caused me tremendous amounts of stress in the months leading up to it.
But I did it and survived. And made many friends along the way. I fell in love with a third-world country. I have never been happier in my life.
The ironic part of that story is that I’m the biggest wimp you’ll ever meet. Afraid of my own shadow.
But fear tried to keep me from going to Guatemala, and it came in the guise of stress and anxiety. When we are super stressed, anxiety kicks in. Perfectly normal!
Anyway, I was stressing myself over nothing.
Yes, it’s stressful at first because you don’t know anyone, maybe you are starting a new job, and you aren’t sure if you will like the place you are moving to.
There are so many variables to this that cause the stress of moving to a new city or country. But the fact of the matter is, we don’t have any answers to many of life’s questions. We don’t even know what’s going to happen tomorrow!
Embrace the new beginning and look forward to all the wonderful new opportunities that lay ahead for you in this new locale. Yes, it will be stressful but know that you’re going to get by perfectly fine.
Are you starting to see a pattern here yet?
Let’s get to the ten ways to deal with stress…
10 Ways to deal with stress
Now we already know that everyone deals with stress differently, but I want to share with you ten ways to deal with stress that just might help you next time you are freaking out about something.
1 Deep breathing
Stop and take a few breaths before you react. Take a step back and away from the situation, go to another room if you have to, sit down, and breathe nice and easy.
2 Go for a walk
Mother Nature cares for and loves us. Get outside and take a walk. The fresh air will clear your head and help you calm down.
3 Bawl your eyes out
Nothing like a good cry to release all the pent-up hurt, anger, and frustration you are feeling right now. Sob hysterically into a pillow, scream at the air if you have to, but get it all out, alone!
4 Call a friend
Sometimes just hearing a friend’s voice can instantly calm us down. I think we all have that one go-to friend. Give ’em a call. You’ll be happy you did.
5 Guided meditations
If you’re into meditating, go listen to some nice, guided, soft, soothing audio. They will certainly help you calm down and be less stressed about whatever just happened.
6 Listen to some music
It could be loud thrashing rock music or zen music. Whatever you prefer, put it on and turn it up. Maybe even grab a hairbrush and have a private rock concert.
7 Play with a furry critter
Go find a puppy or kitten. Go feed chipmunks in the park. Get to the animal shelter and take a rescue for a walk. Animals are the best therapy ever!
8 Write it out
Grab a pen and paper and write out your feelings. Good or bad, it doesn’t matter. And when you’re done, write out all the things in your life that you’re grateful for.
9 Take a nap
Your mind may be going a million miles an hour, but go lay down, put on something soft to listen to (check out Insight Timer), close your eyes, and concentrate on what you’re listening to. And take some deep breaths.
10 Go to church or pray
If you don’t believe in God, that’s okay. You can pray to whoever or whatever you believe in. But take a few minutes to pray and ask for strength to get you through this hard time.
The best way to deal with stress is through faith
In the ten ways to deal with stress, I forgot to mention this one…you have to have faith
You have to believe that things are working out for you. You have to remember that everything in life is temporary, even the good.
You have to believe that you are stronger than you think, and you’ve probably gotten through some worse times than what you are dealing with now.
You have to stay strong and do your best to remain calm, especially if you have children involved. But the true bottom line is:
“Everything will work out-patience obtains all good things”
I know, easier said than done, but if everything was easy, we’d all be doing it. You have to know that no matter what, you will get through this, and it will be ok. You’ll see. Stay in faith.
xo iva xo
