Do you ever have trouble sleeping because you’re worried about how all your daily worries affect your body and mind? We assure you that you are not alone.
According to the CDC, more than half of Americans have difficulties sleeping due to the same worries. Maybe there’s a valid explanation: Stress has a wide-ranging effect on our bodies, minds, and relationships, and it has even been connected to obesity and heart disease.
Since eliminating stress is highly unlikely, we must learn to deal with it constructively to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
Skill #1: Change Your Perception Of Stress
The widespread yet incorrect assumption is that stress is always harmful. It’s recommended by doctors, disseminated in papers, and thought to be at the heart of stress-reduction programs that advertise relief from tension and anxiety.
This misconception, however, is not only untrue but also potentially detrimental. Alia Crum, a psychologist at Stanford University, found that how we think about stress influences how our bodies react to it. When we tell ourselves that stress is beneficial, our bodies produce hormones that help us deal with adversity and develop.
RELATED: 15 Stress Management Techniques That Will Change Your Life
Skill #2: Modify The Meaning You Attach To Stress
Stressful responses to stress are common because of an underlying fear of ineptitude. Worry hinders us because we convince ourselves we can’t handle the problem.
The key is to recall times when you overcame obstacles, either in your own life or in the lives of others.
You should also be aware of whether or not you are catastrophizing, or exaggerating the worst-case scenario. Your confidence in your abilities will soar, and you’ll feel encouraged.
Skill #3: Appreciate The Larger Perspective
Take a minute or two and think about the reasons behind your tension. Instead of ignoring the circumstance or worrying that you