Why is it important to manage stressful thoughts

Have you been feeling too overwhelmed while thinking about the impending future? Is your headspace constantly consumed by exacting thoughts that you cannot seem to rid yourself of? Do you find yourself constantly worrying about things to do while in reality you do not have the energy to do them at all? If you answered yes, it is indeed time for you to implement a stress management regime before it takes a toll on you.

A few reasons why managing stressful thoughts is important:

● Reduced productivity

Picture this, you have prepared for this meeting for weeks in advance but in the midst of stressing over your driving test and that horrible fight you had with your partner, you ended up completely forgetting about it.

Fixating over a certain thought can drain your mental capacity which can affect your ability to remember. Less focus and reduced awareness could come in the way of having a productive day at work.

● Relationship Dilemma.

Lashed out at your friend for no reason after a bad day at work?

Stressful thoughts can come in way of special moments you spend with your loved ones. This could lead you to withdraw yourselves from other people, straining your relationships with them.

● Increased susceptibility to depression and anxiety.

Sometimes an unsuccessful interview can leave you feeling like you want to curl up into a ball and never want to put yourself out there again.

Not being in control of your emotions can lead to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness seeping into your life. This can put you at risk of developing depression and anxiety.

● After-effects on health

Heart feeling heavy and finding it harder to breathe, everytime you think about your exam results or a work deadline?

If not dealt with constructively , stressful thoughts can cause more serious physiological impairments.

When stress makes you fight and remain cross, it is perhaps a good time to inculcate the 4As into your daily life- Avoid, alter, accept and adapt.

• Avoid people or situations that stress you out; redraw your boundaries and be strict about them.

• Altering is all about taking things into your own hands- manage your time effectively and communicate when something becomes too much for you to take.

• Acceptance comes from forgiveness, learning and owning up to your mistakes.

• Adapt to make sure that if a similar situation were to come up again, you will be better prepared to face it.

Maybe you can try out one of these steps to de-stress yourself!

● Reach out to a loved one

We highly encourage you to take the help of your dear ones if these thoughts become too overpowering. Asking for help is always considered an act of bravery!

● Be kind to yourself

Do not forget to appreciate yourself for the things that you do- be it just getting out of bed today, or doing your laundry. Eat that chocolate you saved for later or binge-watch that one crime documentary! Do not feel guilty for giving yourself a break!

● Write it down

You can always write down your thoughts to clear your mind. This way, you can be more in control of your emotions and more in tune with yourself.

● Just breathe

Just take a step back, breathe and try to focus your attention on the present. Being in control of your thoughts can facilitate a healthier and happier life for you.

We all have good and bad days. But the idea is to not make one bad experience the dark cloud that shadows all our happy days.

Lastly, a take home mantra for all of you brave fighters:

Don’t give up, don’t give in, always look for an answer within.