Ten Ways for Men to Stress Less
Ten Ways for Men to Stress Less
Ten Ways for Men to Stress Less#1 Manage your time better
Work on improving your time management and organisational skills, which can help to prevent a potentially stressful crisis, and give yourself a little more time to do the things that are important to you. Get your surroundings organised and uncluttered, and use priority lists to focus on the most important tasks.
# 2 Take a walk
If you begin to feel like you're losing control, go for a short walk. Even a five minute stroll can help to improve your circulation and boost your energy levels. It's also a good way to escape a stressful environment, giving you time to clear your mind or collect your thoughts.
#3 Take your holidays
Don't stockpile your annual leave. Give your body regular breaks to help rest, relax, repair and rejuvenate. Even a day off or a long weekend can clear your mind and renew your energy levels.
#4 Reward yourself
Ensure there is light at the end of the tunnel by allocating yourself rewards for completing stressful tasks (just try to avoid food or alcohol related rewards that compromise your good health). Some examples include buying a book, hiring a DVD, getting some new sports shoes or learning to surf. The key is to find a reward that's motivating and serves as a good distraction from stress.
#5 Learn to say no (nicely)
By better managing your time and knowing your priorities, it becomes clearer whether tasks are important or time wasters. Get to know your limits, and avoid taking on too much. Rather than looking for ways to squeeze more into the day, find ways to leave things out. Saying "no" in a polite way can help to minimise stress.
#6 Learn to meditate
Meditation is a very effective method of relaxation and stress-reduction. It lets you take a conscious break from thoughts and distraction, slowing down your heart and breathing rate, and relaxing your muscles. It's a skill that requires mental focus and practice, but the rewards to your mental state are well documented.
#7 Take a breather
If mediation sounds a bit too "spiritual" for you, even a few minutes of deep breathing may help to reduce anxiety and dissolve stress. Deep breathing is a quick, easy and natural way to help counter the effects of stress. Increasing your oxygen intake through conscious, deeper breathing can help you relax and increase your energy levels. Take a slow deep breath in through your nose, then out through your mouth, and repeat this 10 times.
#8 Get to bed early
Don't try to burn the candle at both ends. It may be hard to get the chance to sleep in, but you can achieve the same result by going to bed early every once in a while. Getting enough sleep also helps your body deal with stress, helping you start the day feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
#9 Tune in to some tunes
Listening to music is a great way to change your focus and alter your mood for the better. Keep a collection of songs that calm you or lift you up, and call on them when needed. It's amazing how uplifting the right song can be.
#10 Have a laugh
They say that laughter is the best medicine, so why not put it into practice. Laughter releases endorphins that produce a sense of wellbeing which counteracts the effects of stress. Hire a comedy movie, watch some funny internet video clips, or spend some time with friends who make you laugh.