How To Cope With Your Day-To-Day Stressors?
There’s a reason the word ‘stressor’ is plural: it takes more than one to make your life feel like an episode of “Keeping up with the Kardashians”. I’m not saying there isn’t value in taking responsibility for what you can control, but if you are born predisposed to anxiety or depression and your stressors include: – your family (genetics) – the coffee shop across the street does not carrying your favorite flavor of tea cream (environment) – confronting a coworker about unethical behavior (people/social interactions) you can’t help but wonder if you should just give up and check yourself into a monastery.
You want to stop reacting to your stressors but you can’t because they are everywhere. Here are five of my favorite coping mechanisms that harness the power of everyday stressors without getting overwhelmed.
Remind yourself that there is no ‘gain’ without ‘pain.’
We’re often told to value the journey over the destination, but no one ever tells us how much that journey takes out of us (or how wonderful that final destination will be). Keep telling yourself that nothing good comes easy and you’ll eventually learn to stop expecting it to.
Dig deep
You might not realize it but you’re pretty amazing; I mean, you’re doing your best to balance a billion different things, and snapping at people just comes with the territory. So next time you feel like yelling at your sister or tearing out your hair over a missed deadline, stop yourself and think about why you’re so upset. You might not realize it but somewhere behind that anger is fear.
Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know.”
Growing up, I remember getting in trouble for not having the answers. Now as an adult I realize that it’s not only okay to say ‘I don’t know.’ but that it’s actually beneficial. If you really are confident in your skills and knowledge, a reasonable person will simply ask for clarification or alternative options. On the other hand, if you conceal your insecurities behind false confidence, people think you’re confident when they really shouldn’t…
Take care of yourself
This is going to sound trite, but it’s so necessary: get enough sleep, eat enough protein, drink enough water. I know that it’s easier said than done but if you are tired, hungry, or dehydrated you are not capable of being at your best. This means the only way to see your stressors as challenges instead of insurmountable obstacles is to invest in some self-care so that you can get back to enjoying life.
Search for suitable therapy for you
A licensed therapist will help you to gain control over your daily stress and make you feel like things won’t be as bad anymore. Therapy provides the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve the quality of life even with all those hectic challenges. A licensed therapist or counselor can provide a safe place for you to explore underlying issues that may be at the root of your stress. Therapy also helps you learn how to manage your emotions so that they don’t rule your life and you can build healthy relationships with those around you.
If one of the above-mentioned five coping mechanisms is what will help you, look for licensed therapists in your area today. A licensed therapist understands the problems unique to your personality and together with you develops a treatment plan tailored to your set of circumstances.
Conclusion
Remember, there is no gain without pain. Dig deep and find the cause of your distress. Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know.” Take care of yourself by getting enough sleep, eating enough protein, drinking enough water. And lastly, search for licensed therapists near you who can help you deal with stressors in a healthy way.