Coping With Stress

“Coping is a dynamic situation-specific reaction to stress. It is a set of concrete responses to stressful situations or events that are intended to resolve the problem and reduce stress.”

I will be mentioning a few stress management techniques that you can use in your daily life to reduce the stress:

1. Meditation: This age-old yoga technique has proven to be very helpful introducing stress. It consists of a sequence of learned techniques for refocusing of attention that brings about an altered state of consciousness, and the individual enters into another level and becomes unaware of any stimulation outside.
2. Exercise: Exercise provides an outlet to any pent-up energy that is experienced during response to stress. Exercises such as walking, jogging, swimming, cycling improve the functioning of the lungs, our blood circulation, reduces body fat and maintains healthy blood pressure levels.
3. Relaxation Techniques: relaxation techniques reduce symptoms of stress and decrease the incidence high blood pressure and heart disease. Usually relaxation starts from the lower part of the body and progresses up to the facial muscles in such a way that the whole body is relaxed. Deep breathing is used in collaboration with muscle relaxation to calm the mind and relax the body.
4. Creative Visualisation : Creative Visualisation is an effective psychological technique for dealing with stress. It is a subjective experience that uses imagery and imagination. Before visualising one must set oneself a realistic goal, as it helps build confidence. It is easier to visualise if one’s mind is quiet, body relaxed and eyes are closed. This reduces the risk of interference from unnecessary thoughts and provides the creative energy needed for turning an imagined scene into reality.

Apart from the above mentioned  techniques developing life skills such as Assertiveness, Time Management, rational thinking, avoiding procrastination also go a long way in helping us cope with stress.