Research has found that money is the number one cause of stress for 44% for Americans, with personal relationships (25%) and work (18%) joining the top three. Stress is a very normal part of life, but it’s important to find healthy ways of dealing with it so that it doesn’t become overwhelming and affect your health. This can include talking to people who can offer help and support as well as finding things you enjoy doing that relieve stress, such as yoga, meditation, art and exercise.
Financial Stress
Over the last 11 years student loans have seen a cumulative growth of 157%. By the second quarter of 2018 there was a total of $1.4 trillion worth of federal student loans, making it one of the biggest financial burdens Americans face. Relieving financial stress can be difficult, but it is possible. Firstly, you need to find a way to manage things like student debts so that it doesn’t feel so overwhelming, such as by refinancing to give yourself some time and breathing space. You can then look into your options for earning more money to pay it off at a manageable rate.
Good Communication Is Key
Having good communication with others is one of the best ways to help manage stressful situations. If you have financial stress, talking to your significant other and family can help you to come up with a plan and organize your thoughts. Stress at work should be discussed with colleagues and managers who can help to make your job less stressful, or at least make you feel listened to and offer support. You may benefit from joining a support group, particularly if you feel like you’re struggling to cope. Talking to people who feel similar can help you to know that you’re not alone and they can offer helpful advice. If you don’t talk to people about how you’re feeling they might not even realize that a situation is stressing you out.
De-Stressing Activities
Simply dealing with everyday life and the challenges it can bring can be stressful, so incorporating some activities that can help you to de-stress is a good way to stay on top of things. Research published in the Frontiers in Human Neuroscience looked into how yoga and meditation effects the body’s stress levels. Participants went to a 3-month intensive yoga and meditation retreat and researchers found that practices positively impacted cortisol awakening response, immunological markers, brain derived neurotrophic factor and overall well-being. Other activities include getting creative and artistic, practicing mindfulness and doing some exercise.
Dealing with stress is part of modern life. Finding ways to help you manage it can stop it from becoming a big problem that ends up affecting your health, both physically and psychologically. Look into what options are available to you, talk to people who can help and find things that you enjoy doing to counteract all the stress.