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Thursday 25 October 2012

How to cope with stress

It's tough being a girl.

Life itself is hard enough, yet we get another unpleasant visit monthly. I don't mind it coming each month really, it's just the pre-symptoms that annoys me. Who else here rage super duper sien hormones before menstruation?

It bothers me a lot. I tend to get very emotional and have all sorts of ridiculous cravings that can't be satisfied.  And these symptoms are exaggerated by stressful life events, like STUDIES wtf. I am never a studious person. I am more into beautician, arts and crafts. Although I am not very talented either but at least they gain my interest.

However, such is life. Life isn't perfect, it's how you decide to look at and deal with it that makes a whole wide difference. 


Mindset

I think this plays the most important role. It's only when you're contented with the things you have, you'd realise that life can actually be full of colours. If you keep comparing yourselves with the high-end society, you will never be satisfied with what you already have.

Think about the children in rural areas, in the orphanage and also children in the hospital wards who are suffering from chronic diseases. Have you ever taught of or come to a realisation of how much effort they have put into just to live another day longer. Or how it felt being brought to Earth without the love and care from their parents. And there you are ranting and whining over minor matters. 

To be upset over what you don't have is a waste of what you already have.

Eat healthily

 STRESSED    DESSERTS  


It is alright to pamper yourself with desserts occasionally if it makes you happy but the truth is, sugary food enhances stress level. Sugar causes your blood glucose level to spike and then fall quickly, which directly dampens you energy level. And to accommodate stress, a large amount of energy is required.

This does not imply that you should boost your energy level with food that contains caffeine, such as coffee or tea. No doubt these drinks are able to refresh a tired person but at the same time, a stressed individual is already anxious and further stimulation may result in aggravated anxiety, or worse, sleepless nights.

By eating healthily, I refer to having a balance diet and not asking you to eat rabbit food. 5-a-day is a program held in several countries including the United Kingdom, United States etc. It encourages people to eat five portion of fruits and vegetables a day and each portion is approximately the size of your fist. And 5-a-day options like asparagus, blueberries, kiwis, almonds are not only good stress relieving food but delicious too!



What about meat? Omnomnomnivore needs meat too! Well, beef and tuna are excellent choices! Beef contains high levels of zinc, vitamin Bs and iron, which are known to stabilise your mood while the latter is low fat high protein, providing you energy to fight stress. But do bear in mind, be it fish or meat, be sure to opt for lean options and avoid the fats!


Exercise

Research has shown that exercise is the best way to release stress. It improves the heart's function by strengthening and enlarging your heart, thereby increasing oxygen level and lowering fat levels such as cholesterol and triglycerides. On the other hand, it is also a enlightens you mentally due to the release of endorphins, a mood regulating neurochemical that is often deprived in patients suffering from depression. 


I personally feel that exercising (or not) affects my mood profusely. These symptoms are obvious during my day off when I would spend the entire day under my duvet, in my pillow lazing around at home. I would feel happy the whole day just to find out those were only temporary and the happiness sinks as the sun set. However, my happy hormones (wtf) tend to expand continuously if I hit the gym that day. Not only do I feel good, live healthier and I look more toned too! Isn't that like hitting two birds with one stone! Make it three!

Er...I actually gained a bit recently but it's alright, CHUBBY IS CUTE. *self proclaim yi xia la. 

Make time for your hobbies

Sometimes the stress level is highly elevated if you focus too much on a particular event. Drift your thoughts and worries, spend some time doing some things you truly enjoy. Be it watching a movie, picnicking with a couple of friends, or taking a short trip. 


Things I enjoy doing mostly involves decorating, be it on food, body parts or any objects. The Hello Kitty meal shown above was prepared by yours truly too, in order to release certain unexplained unhappiness last week. And surprisingly enough, it cheered me up instantly and also the following few days whenever the image pops up in my mind. :)



Prioritise

We try to achieve excellence in all areas of work- we have achievement in studies, work and what definitely want the best for our loved ones, giving them what they deserved. Subconsciously, we yearn for a perfect living which we know it is impossible to obtain.

The inability to maintain our own self-imposed demands begins to cause stress and breeds feelings of inadequacy. Maintaining a large number of priorities and realising how we are drifting apart from each priorites eventually leads to frustration and burnout. You soon feel that everything is out of your control and nothing seems to comes in your way.

Setting priorities isn't only about having good time management (although it does play a major role in helping you attain your achievements). It is more of determining what gives you the greatest satisfaction in life, things that bring you genuine happiness. Some people determine their self-worth by their achievement in work while others judge by their child's achievement or harmony within a family.

It is solely dependent on you to determine what you want and strive hard for it in that direction. Yes, there may be unpleasant outburst on the way to achievement. Do not feel defeated when things slip out of control, pull yourself together and conquer whatever is coming your way.


No matter how hard things may seem, I always believe there's something good coming around.

Ending this long wordy post by simply inserting my narcissistic face. And stay tuned for more updates! 

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