Stress is prevalent in today’s society and plays a large part in mental and physical illness. It can be a vicious circle as the more stressed a person is, the more it affects their health. Thinking becomes irrational which also contributes to increased stress.
- Try to identify the unhealthy negative emotion and name it eg anxiety, depression, unhealthy anger, jealousy, envy, hurt, shame, guilt.
- Ask yourself what are your irrational beliefs:
- What are you demanding?
- Are you telling yourself that you can’t stand something?
- Are you putting yourself down?
- Are you putting someone else down?
- Attempt to change your irrational beliefs into rational beliefs.
- Repeat these rational beliefs to yourself until your stress levels decrease.
It is important to:
- Not run away from your emotions. Allow yourself to feel them and relax into them rather than try to get rid of them.
- Do the things that frighten you. The more you do them the less frightened you will be. Avoidance will make your fear grow.
- Focus on your breathing. Calm, shallow breathing will reduce your stress.
- Drop your shoulders. This will help you to feel relaxed.
- Unclench your hands. Tightened fists will increase feelings of anger and depression.
The views expressed here are the author’s and are intended for general guidance only.
