Thursday, July 23, 2020

How to Feel Less Frustrated Under Stress

How to Feel Less Frustrated Under Stress Stress Management Management Techniques Print 5 Ways to Reduce Your Stress and Frustration By Elizabeth Scott, MS twitter Elizabeth Scott, MS, is a wellness coach specializing in stress management and quality of life, and the author of 8 Keys to Stress Management. Learn about our editorial policy Elizabeth Scott, MS Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MD on November 11, 2019 facebook twitter linkedin Carly Snyder, MD is a reproductive and perinatal psychiatrist who combines traditional psychiatry with integrative medicine-based treatments.   Learn about our Medical Review Board Carly Snyder, MD on November 11, 2019 How Stress Impacts Your Health Overview Signs of Burnout Stress and Weight Gain Benefits of Exercise Stress Reduction Tips Self-Care Practices Mindful Living PeopleImages / Getty Images Often when people are stressed they feel more frustrated and emotionally reactive to events that would not affect them as severely. This happens for a few reasons. One is that people feel more stressed when they feel threatened, and this experience of threat is heightened when people feel they dont have the resources to adequately handle the challenges they face. When stressed, people tend not to recognize the physical, social, and psychological resources they have available. They also tend to be less capable of self-care, which can increase stress as the effects of sleep deprivation, poor nutrition, and social isolation set in. Further, increased frustration, irritability and sensitivity can be signs of burnout as well. Thats why these feelings should be a signal that ore effective stress management is needed. Methods for Reducing Feelings of Frustration and Stress If you find yourself feeling less patient, more frustrated, more emotional and less able to handle the stresses of your life, there are several things you can do to feel better. Find Quick Stress Relief Stopping your stress response relatively early on can help you to respond more calmly rather than reacting to stress in a way that you might regret. Quick stress relievers such as breathing exercises or progressive muscle relaxation, for example, can calm you down and help you feel less frustrated and more able to handle what comes. Then you can take the next steps with a clearer head. Be prepared with quick stress relievers to use next time you feel overwhelmed. Five Quick Stress Relievers Change Your Attitude Much of whether or not we see something as stressful depends on our habitual thought patterns and how we process the world around us. For example, those who see things as under their control tend to be less stressed about what happens to them, as they see that they always have options for change. Studies have shown health benefits to optimistic ways of thinking as well. Learn more about how to develop a resilient state of mind, and you’ll feel less stressed. Change Your Lifestyle If you feel yourself to be continually on edge, it’s possible that something needs to change in your life. If you cut down on commitments, take good care of your body, and make other healthy lifestyle changes, you’ll be dealing with less overall stress so you’ll be more effective at managing the stress that you do encounter. Good nutrition, proper sleep, and exercise can work wonders on your stress levels. Making time for leisure activities and creative expression is vital as well; downtime is not just a luxury, but a necessary aspect of a balanced lifestyle and creative activities can be stress-relieving for artists and non-artsy-types alike. 5 Healthy Habits for Low-Stress Living Draw on Social Support Often people are helped by having the release and support of sharing their troubles with close friends, family or loved ones. While it’s not healthy to constantly complain about an endless list of woes, talking to a trusted friend about frustrations now and then (and returning the favor by being a good listener) can help you process what’s going on with your life, and enable you to brainstorm solutions. If you don’t have someone you’re comfortable sharing your situation with, seeing a therapist or starting a regular journaling practice have both been shown to have benefits as well. Have Some Regular Stress Relief Activities To maintain a less-stressed lifestyle, it’s important to have some regular stress-relieving activities in your life. Those who regularly walk, meditate  or enjoy other stress relief activities in their lives tend to feel less stressed in general and less reactive to specific stressors that arise throughout the day. There are a variety of stress-relieving activities to choose from, and its good to explore which ones work best for your personality and lifestyle. 17 Highly Effective Stress Relievers