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February 18, 2007Answers:
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March 2, 2010Visitors:
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I know the two go hand in hand, which explains why I feel so low at the moment. There's so much going wrong with my family life, my work like and my health right now and it's affecting everything. Even my relationship with my boyfriend.
The question is, what do I do about it?? I can't keep going the way I am or I SWEAR I am going to have a meltdown.
Please help and if you can, I would appreciate natural help, rather than counselling or therapy.
Ways to combat stress...
1.) Sleep. The less you sleep, the more stressed out you're going to be. Your body needs approximately eight hours of sleep every night. If you are having a problem falling asleep... Try doing something that will allow you to unwind a little bit before going to bed. For example, take a long, hot bath... Drink some hot tea or milk... Read a book.
2.) Diet. Your diet can also affect your level of stress. I'm not suggesting you go on a diet, but try drinking more water and cutting down on the junk food. Taking a vitamin wouldn't hurt either.
3.) Exercise. When you exercise, your body actually releases hormones that make you feel good. You don't have to do anything fancy, like join a gym or start lifting weights. Try taking a fifteen to twenty minute walk every day after dinner.
4.) Hobbies. Most people underestimate the benefit of having a hobby. But really... They're great. When you're doing something that you enjoy, you tend to focus on the activity alone, and temporarily forget your anxieties. For example, I love to draw... I'm not the best at it, but when I'm drawing I'm so wrapped up in what I'm doing that I can't think about anything else.
5.) Meditate. This might sound like a weird suggestion... But if you think about it, all you're doing is setting aside maybe fifteen to twenty minutes every day to just be still and be quiet. You don't have to bend your legs into a lotus position or chant. Just try to get comforbale, whether you're sitting on the couch, or laying on the floor... whatever. Then either try to clear your mind, or focus on something positive. For example, a good exercise is... "Fifty things I'm grateful for." If you're having trouble thinking of things to be grateful for, I'll start you off with a big one... "I'm grateful... To be alive."
6.) Keep a journal. Sometimes writing down your feelings helps you to sort out your emotions and put the situation into a proper perspective. Especially if you are a woman. One of the differences between the way men and women solve problems (as pointed out by Dr. John Gray) is that women tend to talk about their problems a lot. We aren't whining, we're trying to figure out how we feel about our problems, and to draw our own conclusions. Writing is a good outlet for emotions because it gives us time to really think about what we are feeling before we even put it into words.
7.) Remember that happiness is a state of mind. Happiness is not the result of good circustances. Because in life, circumstances are never perfect, even when at their best. There will always be something to worry about, some problem that needs to be solved. That's just the way life is. Getting that new car will not make you happy. Neither will a new job, new house, or a marriage proposal, etc. All these things may result in temporary joy, but not lasting happiness.
Happiness is not something that anyone can give you... Except for yourself. Your boyfriend is not the key to your happiness, neither are your friends or family. Your happiness depends only one person... YOU! And be glad... There's nothing better than knowing that you alone are in control of your emotional state.
Happiness is the result of a postive perspective. Being happy means saying, "My life is good and I don't want to be anyone else. I'm not perfect, but I love myself the way that I am, and while everything might not be perfect, I have a lot to be grateful for." Being happy means that when things go wrong, or you make a mistake, instead of dwelling on the negative... You look for the postive. You are able to say, " I made a mistake, but this is what I learned from my mistake. And now that I know, next time around I will do better." Happy people still have problems and experience sadness... The difference between a happy person and the sad person is that the happy person knows that they will be happy again. They know that the hurt will fade, things will pass, and in the long run, they'll be just fine.
And lastly... It sounds to me that you are pretty self-aware amd know that you are experiencing a temporary case of the blues. However, if you ever suspect that your case of the blues is turning in a serious case of depression, don't hestitate to seek professional help. Don't walk, RUN to the nearest doctor!
I hope things get better for you. My thoughts are with you, good luck... Adieu ;)
(Rating: 5) That's the best advice I think I've had in a very, very long time. Thank you for your help and the time you took to answer. Really, thank you.