Seven Ways to Control Your Stress Level

I myself am known as quite a calm and balanced person, but I do know a few stressed out people. In fact, I live with one

You cannot avoid stress completely, but you have to be in control of your stress level or start suffering some of its devastating mental and physical effects.

Here are the top seven ways to gain control over your stress level, even to the degree that you remove it (almost) completely out of your life:

1. Embrace stress!

Have you ever seen a top sportsman totally relaxed before a big competition?

You see, stress is not always bad. In fact, based on the body’s natural “fight or flight” response, that burst of energy will enhance your performance at the right moment. You can use stress wisely to push yourself that little bit harder when it counts most.

2. Avoid stress germs

Stressed out people can infect you with their stress, so try to stay away from them.

3. Model stress-free people

Observe people who keep calm while everyone around are stressed out. What are they doing differently? What is their attitude? What language do they use? Figure it out from afar or chat with them.

4. Practice heavy breathing

You can trick your body into relaxing by using heavy breathing. Breathe in slowly for a count of 7, then breathe out for a count of 11. Repeat the 7-11 breathing until your heart rate slows down, your sweaty palms dry off and things start to feel more normal.

5. Give stressful thoughts the red light

It is possible to tangle yourself up in a stress knot all by yourself. “If this happens, then that might happen and then we’re all up the creek!” Most of these things never happen, so why waste all that energy worrying needlessly?

Give stress thought-trains the red light and stop them in their tracks.

6. Know your trigger points and hot spots

Presentations, interviews, meetings, giving difficult feedback, tight deadlines…. My heart rate is cranking up just writing these down!

Make your own list of stress trigger points or hot spots. Be specific. Is it only presentations to a certain audience that get you worked up? Does one project cause more stress than another? Did you drink too much coffee?

Knowing what causes you stress is powerful information, as you can take action to make it less stressful. Do you need to learn some new skills? Do you need extra resources? Do you need to switch to decaf?

7. Treat your body right

When you are healthy and fit, you can better cope with life’s challenges.

It almost goes without saying, yet many people go through long periods of time depriving their body of proper sleep, nutrition and physical activity. This kind of lifestyle can have terrible effects on your body and mind.