Stop Stressing yourself

We’ve all been told to not stress ourselves out over things but its always easier said than done. We are either having a bad day, the events cascade on each other or our stressor just came so far out of left field that it was completely unforeseen. Stress is seen to be one of the most horrible things you can encounter by many people but it really isn’t as bad as we think. If you exercise you realise that you are stressing your body so that it accommodates to the conditions you’re putting it under. The same can be said for our mental and emotional stresses—like all stresses (emotional, mental or physical) there needs to be a rest period, which is something we all tend to forget.




Many people (including myself) feel as if they can quickly recoup from highly stressful environments continuously with out giving themselves a proper rest period between events. It may not be possible to completely tap out off what ever life is throwing at you but it is important to recognise those quiet (or calm) moments when you’re in them and allow yourself to recharge. You can find solace in cooking, spending time with loved ones, reading or sleep (whatever cools your engines and makes you forget about that thing that pissed you off in the first place.




Another important thing to remember is when the events cascade its okay to tap out and find some solace before you do something you regret. I know what it is to be angry and you can do some pretty stupid things when you’re upset (break something, curse someone out, not pay attention while you’re driving..pick your poison..well really don’t pick any). Take a breather, tell those around you that you just need a few minutes, run, do some breathing exercises…or even ask yourself the important questions (“Is this stupid? Will I regret what I’m about to do in 24hrs? Who will be affected by this? Is it gonna hurt later?” are just a few but feel free to come up with your own that apply to you).




Remember that stress can make you stronger if you handle it properly. Look at Steel (my knowledge in metal forging is limited…Very limited). The raw material is headed to high temperatures, it is manipulated on an anvil, hammered into shape, allowed to cool, heated up again (at a lower temperature) and cooled in a liquid—the steps that follow are preformed to shape it appropriately and they are all simply stressors spaced by rest periods. High stress followed by rest.




As time goes on we learn and adapt. Our stressors don’t seem so bad because we have been forged into something greater but with out the rest it is possible that we can break. So do yourself a favour and treat yourself like a high quality crafted item—relax after your stress and don’t allow it to break you (there are really too many shootings, beatings and all kinds of situations that can be avoided if we didn’t allow our stresses to get the best of us).