If you’re feeling like you’re in over your head or you can’t keep up with the curveballs life is throwing your way, just know it’s okay.
No matter how on top of things you are, even the most organised and seemingly successful people have their rough patches. Thank you, Martha Stewart for showing us how to create an immaculate hors d’oeuvres spread, and how to pick up the pieces after a prison stint.
While you may not have had the same tough break Martha did (we’re hoping), these tips can help you stay stress free during all those unexpected stressful situations life hands you.
Jam out
Music has a way of marking points in our life that can be easily recalled, so find the right genre to tune in to at this point. Although you may be going through a time you don’t want to remember, such as the loss of a loved one, a serious illness or a divorce, find music that brings out happy memories and get lost in it.
Listening to tunes that are upbeat or silly can allow us to get our minds off of the big stuff and just let go (cue Frozen song). And if screaming a song at the top of your lungs is what will help clear your head after you just got laid off, or were told by your landlord he’s selling the house (and you have a week to pack up), we say, crank it up.
Get Moving
Stress relief is a benefit of exercise even when life doesn’t seem all that stressful, so can you imagine how it helps when you actually are stressed? Releasing anxiety through running or sport occurs because we have to turn inward and focus on literally putting one foot in front of the other.
My father suffered from chronic back pain for years and ultimately had to have major surgery for only a slight hope that it would relieve the pain. He also took on the stresses of great financial burden and having to end his career early. One of the things my dad found peace in each day was taking our dog down to the beach for a sunrise walk. It’s something he never got the chance to do when he worked 50 hour workweeks at the office; and it not only helped my dad stay active, but our beloved dog, Tery, got more exercise that she needed too.
By being active, it felt like his back didn’t have control over his positive outlook. Although it had control over many other aspects of his life, which is something we can all relate to when going through a big life change that’s out of our hands.
Do one thing at a time
Feeling frazzled is mostly our fault. We try to divide our attention on too many things at once, which we think will help us get things crossed off our to-do lists quicker, but it really just prolongs our stress.
For example, when you’re moving, you want it all to be done in a day so you can be comfortable in your new place. However, if you don’t focus first on getting all of the boxes in the right room, and then unloading all of the necessary items you need to operate before ripping open every box in arms reach it’s going to take an eternity.
Also, if you find yourself in the black hole of job hunting, segmenting your day in to focusing on one thing at a time can help you land that new job sooner. One hour devoted to searching posting, two hours to construct a your application, one hour for online or in person networking, you get the point. Try to do these all at once and see how high your blood pressure rises, we promise it will.
So close all of the extraneous windows on your computer, silence your mobile and do one thing at a time to feel stress melt away.
Smile and laugh
Your stressful situation may have you feeling like you won’t be smiling any time soon, but lightening up the mood immediately soothes tension in your body, so don’t be afraid to crack a smile.
Whether someone close has passed, or you lost a spouse to divorce, distract yourself from sadness by watching a comedic movie, going out for dinner with your sassiest girlfriend or indulging in a YouTube binge. Having a tough exterior may be your defence when going through a stressful situation, but that exterior will crack under pressure. The endorphins you’ll release while taking a timeout to laugh it off will help in easing the weight on your shoulders.
Have “me” time
A lot of times being in the middle of a big life hurdle has something to do with another person putting you in the position, and the best solution may be to just get away from it all.
Whether your getaway is taking your lunch break outside of the employee break room or escaping from your roommate to go to grab a bite to eat on your own, don’t feel selfish making it all about you because everyone can agree someone who is more relaxed is much more pleasant to be around.
If you have the ability to take a real getaway out of town, or even a staycation in Sydney, you can get some real quality “me” time. Exploring a new place or vegging out at a luxe hotel for a couple of days really allows you to recover and find a fresh perspective.
Be grateful
When faced with hardship, it’s easy to lose sight of the good things we do have going for us. A gloom and doom outlook can spiral out of control if we let our external circumstances get the best of us, which is why it’s so important to consciously think of things to be grateful for.
By focusing on the positive aspects of our life we diminish the things that feel like they are out of control. Take 10 minutes at the end of each day to reflect in a gratitude journal, or wake up a little early so you can meditate before your day starts. Embrace the notion of contentment in your life and free yourself from stifling and unrealistic expectations to have it all together.
Taking a timeout to do some of these things is what can keep you from getting in a truly dark place. Life has it’s peaks and valleys, but as the saying goes, don’t make a mountain out of a mole hill by letting stress take over.
You are in control of your outlook on life no matter what hand you’re dealt, so head out for some me time, book that vacation for one or blare your music as you clean the house. The world is your stage, don’t let it bring you down.