10 Quick Ways to Relax Yourself In The Face of Sudden Emotional Stress
There are situations wherein you get stressed out for a few days or a whole week until the events that cause you emotional stress have already passed. On the other hand, there are moments when you get overwhelmed all of a sudden, and without notice or warning, in the middle of a peaceful time, you get stressed out. This happens when you remember past troubles out of the blue, read bothersome news, look back on your life’s what if’s, think about how scary the future could be, and so on and so forth. The mind is so annoying sometimes, isn’t it? What’s more, it affects your emotions, your functioning and your whole day!
Well, although it’s easier said than done, you should pull yourself together and try to calm down. Don’t let that tension or worry ruin your mood and steal your good vibes! They exist to bring you down, but remember they cannot knock you down. Especially when you keep yourself composed and still, overcoming the stress, it will give up by itself.
Nobody wants any kind of stress, especially when they come like an arrow from a bow. They lead to unproductivity, discomfort and a lot more stress. Beat them up! I say, beat the stress up! Face it, and fight it with a poised and restful armor. Check out these 10 quick ways to relax yourself in the face of sudden emotional stress.
1 – Breathe in. Breathe out.
A common sign of emotional stress, which worries a lot when they experience it, is difficulty in breathing. It seems you are struggling for air or catching your breath. You get this unsettling feeling because you cannot breathe properly. This happens because the muscles that aid breathing tighten and become tensed. You breathe fast and sometimes breathe shallow. That is much more evident when you are panicking.
To relieve sudden emotional stress that stuns you, do breathing exercises. Breathe in. Breathe out. Inhale, and exhale. Take a deep breath, and release. Consume more oxygen, and unloose the tension. Clear your mind. Focus only on your breathing. Do it slowly and gently.
This is a quick key, and you can do it anytime and anywhere sudden stress strikes.
2 – Move around. Exercise.
Physical exercises are a refreshing way to shake stress off your head. It allows you to diffuse toxins, veer away from negativity and concentrate on the good. When you suddenly feel stressed out, move around. Walk inside your room, or step outside, and visit a nearby park. Stretch your body to loosen up those joints and tensed muscles.
Make exercising a part of your regular routine as well. You will feel better and look better. Investing in high-quality exercise equipment will not go to waste because having a healthful lifestyle will greatly benefit you, of course. Even without personal exercise equipment at home, there are many more forms of exercise, like dancing, cycling, jogging and swimming. Sports, such as basketball, volleyball, badminton and tennis, are fantastic physical exercises too.
For sure, getting up, moving your body and sweating off can help free yourself from emotional stress and can teach you how to handle it better. Exercising increases your energy levels, boosts your mood and heightens your confidence. These are advantageous in combating any kind of stress!
3 – Listen to music.
It’s always so amazing how music can do magic in ways we cannot really see. Whenever you are happy, there are songs that suit the gleeful mood and make you dance. And of course, when you are down and stress-ridden, there are songs that aim to cheer you up, discard the strain and make you feel good. Listen to music that does these things!
Music has therapeutic benefits, and it can embrace you in times of pressure and worry. Why do some people listen to sad music whenever they are sad? Because that’s how they can buzz their boxed up emotions that they need to let go. It helps. Music also makes one feel accompanied; meaning, you feel less alone.
4 – Reassess the cause of your stress.
Stress can linger for a long while, even if it’s just sudden, because anxiety can come with it. This involves overthinking and getting fidgety because of your worry. Often, the entrance of many negative thoughts worsens it. However, most of the time, you just stay stressed out without really knowing why you are. In such cases, realize that stress is fooling you.
Reassess the cause of your stress. Your emotions went ahead of you, that’s why you got restless, but this time, get a hold of yourself, and control your emotions. Ask yourself what you are stressing over and why. Is it worth your time and energy? If it surely is not, then regain your peace, and throw aside that unnecessary stress.
Meanwhile, for sudden stress that arrives naturally because of work, school and other life responsibilities, look at the bright side. You may be in a stressful situation, but try to look from another perspective. Pretty sure, there’s something good somewhere. Ponder on the advantages you can receive and on the harmful things that you get to forego. Free your mind, so you can breathe freely.
5 – Light a scented candle, or open the aroma diffuser.
Aromatherapy looks like just some sort of aesthetic or luxurious kind of lifestyle for many, but it is actually one of the best ways to calm oneself amid stressful thoughts. When you suddenly get stressed at home, light a scented candle, or open the aroma diffuser. Blow off the negative vibes, and let the fragrance of those scents fill the room with ease and coziness. Alleviate headaches and tension. Enhance the quality of your sleep. Relax, and feel rejuvenated.
6 – Drink water.
When you fail to drink water, especially enough amounts of it, you become exhausted, dizzy, disoriented and/or sleepy. On top of that, you sometimes become easily annoyed and irritated. All these can also happen in the middle of sudden emotional stress.
Hydrate yourself. Drink plenty of water. Cleanse your body. Cleanse your mind. Wash away the taxing vibes. Give life to your dull feeling. Your energy level rises, and you have enthusiasm to think of solutions to stressful problems when you drink water.
7 – Grab your favorite snack.
Food never fails to be one of the best stress busters ever! Grab your favorite snack when you are struggling emotionally. It will definitely uplift your spirit. You will regain focus and motivation too.
8 – Take a refreshing bath.
When you are stressed out, it shows. Sometimes, you fail to fix your face or comb your hair aside from not being able to smile real. Even when you feel emotionally strained, stay hygienic. Taking a refreshing bath can help lighten up your mood as you feel like it’s a new beginning after stepping out of the bathroom.
9 – Talk with someone you trust.
Sometimes, you need an avenue where you can let your stresses get off your chest. You need someone who will listen and help you overcome those worries. If you are comfortable in sharing your personal struggles to other people, talk with someone you trust. You know them well, and they know you well, so they know what advice you need for your problem. They can be your source of relief who will let you know that you are doing good and that everything will be alright.
10 – Pray.
Last but certainly not the least, the most effective weapon against any kind of emotional stress, sudden or not, is prayer.
Pray. Talk to God. The things you cannot or are not willing to share to anyone else, you can tell them to Him. Guaranteed, you will not be condemned, and you will be comforted. The peace that you get after praying to Him is like no other in the world. His unconditional love makes sure you are heard and answered. Cast your cares upon Him for He cares for you.
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BEAT THE STRESS UP!
Sadly, stress is part of human life, but don’t let it live in your mind rent free. Do not let stress take over. Counterattack it with smart relaxation techniques that will help not only at the moment of stress but also when you feel like it’s approaching. Shoo it away because it should have no permanent place in your life! Beat the stress up before it even tries to come near you. Shut it up before it even attempts to make a sound. You can do it because you are stronger than the stress you have been talking and thinking about.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nicole Ann Pore is a writer, an events host and a voice over artist. Quality and well-researched writing is her worthwhile avenue to enlighten and delight others about things that matter. She also writes for Fitbiz Exercise Equipment, an excellent source of the ultimate fitness equipment collections in Australia. Nicole graduated Cum Laude from De La Salle University Manila, Philippines with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts.