My stress management techniques

The number of jobs, responsibilities, and problems faced daily can make us feel stressed. Can we not feel stress in one day? Plus, many people underestimate mental health. Stress may affect our mental health, stress might affect a lot of things that we actually didn't realize.

In fact, disturbing mental conditions can also cause illness and may lead to depression. Just because of this "stress", it already makes our life feel miserable.

However, thank god that stress management exists. Although it doesn't eliminate our stress forever, at least we can release the tension little by little.

How do I manage my stress? 

1. Interact with Pets 

I have a cat and a dog. Both pets are also used as therapy animals to meet basic human needs. Seeing my cat running around actively always hype me and my dog always seems happy whenever he sees me. I left home for 3 hours, and my dog greets me as if he hasn't met me in 3 years.

Caring for animals is one way to relieve stress. Not only relieving stress, but also a good companion for us. Having a pet never makes me feel lonely. I always have something to look forward to them. 

Interacting not only by petting their head but also by talking to them. They do understand you! Except for my cat, I know she understands me, but most of the time she ignores me. Unlike my dog, he listened to me and always follow me around. It's like my guardian angel.

Everyone of course has their different option for raising their pets. Some are birds, turtles, or fish. It's up to you, all animals are loved.

2. Talk to someone

I am lucky to have few friends that I can trust because when I feel unbearable stress I usually tell my friends about how I felt. Some might give me support, try to help, some make jokes about my stress. It's okay to make jokes, as long as it makes me laugh.

However, the internet is easy to access. Why don't we try to talk with strangers, or someone from other regions, someone you met online? Just think like this, you join into a Facebook group that talk about stress, and find someone there that are looking for a friend to chat.

There are tons of people there, that are looking for someone to talk to. Why talking to strangers on the internet? Because, why not? Because you don't know me and I also do not know anything about you. Well, we couldn't judge each other. We are here to talk, not for judging.

That is why sometimes it's good talking with strangers rather than with someone we knew. That someone we knew might bring up our past as if we never changed. Believe me or not, people on the internet will build each other up rather than crashing us down. Why don't you give it a try?

3. Playing Games

Another way to relieve stress that I do is playing games. I used to play online RPG games with my sister, but playing games took a lot of my time. Then I had to stop. Games are a good way to relieve your stress, but you need to choose the right game. Just play a chill game, that doesn't make you stress.

Maybe a board game? It's your call, choosing a game that is not easy for you to lose. At least you can forget about your stress while playing games, right?

Referring to number two, you can also play online games; where you can talk to someone while completing an in-game quest. Whoever said that gamers are "forever alone" person, has probably never played an online game before. Oh, and sometimes, the friends you met in online games, might become your real-life friends too!

4. Rest and sleep

I usually took my rest more time than the other. I lay on my bed from 7pm until I fell asleep at 10pm. That's me laying down for 3 hours. But, I actually do a lot of other stuff rather than sleeping. I mostly arrange cloth to sell online through social media.

I have an online thrift store clothing, so I have a lot of stuff to think about rather than my problem. So resting would really help me, to be more productive the next day, in addition to my mind being fresher. 

When you feel stress, try to rest. Stress leads to tiredness, that's why we feel like sleeping. If we think too much, then the stress will overpower us. You in control of your body, not the emotion. 

5. Avoid Smartphones and Social Media

It's okay to not playing smartphones or social media, we can enjoy nature stuff out there. Most of us feel stress due to our insecurity. How does social media make you feel insecure? Maybe you see your friend traveling around the world, some friend updates their photo eating at a 5-star restaurant. Then you suddenly have a thought, why can't I be like them?

Why are there seem so happy? Why they have a lot of money? They look happy in the photo. We sometimes update some of our photos for memory purposes on social media. We show you, what we wanted you all to see. But did you see our feeling by looking through those photos?

As an example, she was eating at a 5-star restaurant, but she was also thinking about how all the food is not that good and she wastes a lot of money there. 

We will never be happy if we always compare ourselves with other people. I always told myself this, "Be easy on yourself". Sometimes I treat myself too hard, that I begin to feel stress because

6. Make a habit of smiling and being grateful

The attitude of gratitude will change our way of thinking. 

Even if you could not smile, just smile. Fake it, until you make it. Smiling can trick your brain into happiness. Try to think of 3 stuff that you thought you should be happy and grateful for; do this more often it helps your mind to remain calm and the body release stress naturally.

There are a lot of things we can be grateful for; such as we woke up this morning. We still have a healthy body and a peaceful mind. Think of all the little things that we do today, smile, and be grateful that we are still alive.

7. Do activities that may eliminate overthinking

After I begin my online thrift store cloth, my mind focuses on business more rather than my own problem. I need to sell this, I need to promote my business daily, I need to do this and do that.

It feels stressful a bit, but feedback from a happy customer is really worth it. It is a reward for my hard work. 

Maybe you love to write, then you can express your feeling through writing. It will release your tension little by little. My point is, never sitting, and thinking about stressful stuff.

Here are 7 ways on my stress management techniques. Try the above tips for better mental health and lifestyle. However, if you felt like your mental health getting worse, do not hesitate to consult a psychiatrist to get proper treatment, and avoid the impact of more serious mental disorders. You matter and you are loved.