Photo by Tim Gouw from Unsplash

Stress comes in many forms when we’re under an extreme amount of pressure. At any age, we are no strangers to stress. But as we grow, the more susceptible we are to the littlest scenarios that cause us stress since the expectations we have put on our shoulders are getting heavier and ridiculous. In our twenties, this ridiculous internal pressure to become successful in the quickest way possible is intense. We constantly feel the need to work since taking a break is considered an act of weakness.

They tell us early on that we must always keep running to be first in this race because otherwise, we’re doomed to failure. All the criticism we’re subjecting ourselves to is overwhelming and self-destructing for anybody, but it shouldn’t have to be this way. One common thing that stresses a lot of people is to hold themselves to a high pedestal and unrealistic standards. In reality, they pressure themselves to be anything less than perfection because they tie their worth to an arbitrary achievement.

When the inevitable comes, and they can’t take the endless list of responsibilities anymore, they drown in self-doubt. Doing certain hobbies or activities that make you happy is a huge help for you to loosen up and see the fun throughout the process. Stress is necessary and inevitable in life and survival. We don’t grow if we don’t pass through periods of discomfort and stress.

We don’t reach our creative breakthroughs if we don’t have the experience of what it’s like to be in a rut. The problems we encounter before we grasp success bring stress into our mind and body, and that’s because we resist falling short of the commitment and skill needed to achieve our goal. So when we think about it, stress is the push we need to get to another phase in life, one step closer to the finish line.

“Stress is a normal physical response to events that make you feel threatened or upset your balance or status quo. It’s also the body’s way of protecting you, by helping you stay focused, energetic, and alert. When we sense danger of any kind – whether real or imagined – we tend to move into a “fight, fight or frozen” reactions, and both “positive” and “negative” or common events can contribute to these reactions.”


“Dealing with stress effectively is a life-long process – of learning about and accepting yourself, understanding what you value, and gaining awareness of your triggers. The more you engage in this process of self-discovery and self-mastery, the more powerful you become in mitigating stress and dealing with it in life-supporting ways.”

KATHY CAPRINO FROM FORBES

 
Learning to manage and relieve stress at home is not an easy nor linear process. You need to be able to dissect every adverse situation and reflect on how exactly this makes you feel. In your raw responses, you can study your triggers and find a healthy way to subdue their consequences, and improve your emotional feedback.  One way to do this is learning to apologize to yourself when you go back to old, toxic habits. Dealing with your stress is a long-term commitment to taking care of your mind and body. It’s about being responsible with your choices like saying no to situations that compromise your health.

6 SIMPLE AND COST-FREE WAYS TO RELIEVE STRESS AT HOME:

 

GAMING

 
When we reach our twenties, there’s a part of us that wished we could go back to the good old days when we were kids. One part of my childhood I reminisce is fun I get playing games on the internet. Back in the day, I played on online gaming sites like Y8 and Friv. My cousins and I used to play multiplayer games on the computer and had the best time. When our parents aren’t around, we stay up all night and play all sorts of games available. However, as time passed and we came back to these sites, it was disappointing because most of the games there couldn’t be played anymore.

They were blocked and some needed to be downloaded. Luckily, another gaming website is here to reminisce and celebrate that version of online gaming fun in our time when smartphones weren’t a thing. Plays.org has a lot of varied categories of free and fun online applications that don’t need to be downloaded. Plus, there is no need to register or set up a user account. Everything is completely free.

Plus, Plays.org constantly expands a collection of games every day, so there are many fun options to choose from. Check out the footer of their site and you can see category-based navigation for their game collection. Here are my favorites:

2-Player/Multiplayer:

Physics

Math

According to Plays.org, one of their most popular games is a math game named Guardians Defenders of Mathematica. After playing it, I understood why a lot of players love it. This educational game incorporates basic Mathematics into an adventure type of game. The characters are varied and interesting. The graphics are creative, colorful, and detailed in world-building. You get to learn and review fundamental Mathematical theories and equations while having fun. This is the perfect game for young kids to refresh their minds with basic integral concepts.

Classic

Inspector Gadget

Slide Puzzles

Honestly, I could go all day. I’ve played lots of games since I discovered this brand new gaming site. Take a look by clicking here plays.org/games/ to see something new and exciting every day. Another awesome thing about Plays.org is there are no paid upgrades or blocked flash with Adobe. Their games don’t take long to load and the entire site is uncomplicated and simple to navigate — definitely the perfect site for kids and tech novices. When I tried playing my first game, Tom & Jerry, it reminded me so much of my favorite childhood shows and games.

Exploring through the many fun categories on Plays.org not only took away my stress from my online classes but also brought back the inner child in me. 

 

BE IN THE COMPANY OF PETS

 
Science has proven why and how pets are a stress reliever. They lower your stress hormones and reduces blood pressure. Regardless of the type of pet you own, may it be a dog or a cat, being around them gives you a sense of calmness when you’re in an agitated state of mind. Pets make you feel young and happy as your bond grows even stronger. Pets have the ability to make us feel better by making us laugh with their silly quirks and playfulness.

Plus, having the company of a pet you love makes you feel belonged and important since you have something to take care of. You feed and protect them, and your pets will return your affection in a different way. Their humor wipes away your sadness and bad temper instantly. Not only are they so cute to cuddle, but their presence is also very important when you’re on the verge of a mental breakdown and their hug is all you need. Overall, they increase your emotional and mental well-being enough to get back on your feet.

PRAY

 
When you keep the stress all to yourself, the tendency is you take it out on the people around you. You unintentionally evoke negative energy and let it out. The pain you’re bottling up inside may feel like you’re the only one getting hurt but your inner affliction actually manifests in your behavior and actions. When you feel like all hope’s lost, there is always a free and accessible way to relieve stress — through prayer.

God’s comfort alleviates your pain and His love heals all your battle scars. When it feels so heavy, it’s probably because it’s not your burden to bear. By opening your heart to Him and surrendering every anxious thought, you are starting to love yourself. Everything that worries you is temporary, but it doesn’t feel like it until you talk to the Lord who is in charge of everything. The moment you begin to pray, you learn to embrace stillness in your season of waiting.

A single prayer does more than lead you to a spiritual breakthrough, it also establishes a deeper relationship between you and God. It strengthens your sense of self and connection to your life’s purpose. It elicits genuine, positive emotions and affirmations and helps you come up with a more peaceful outlook in life. Never estimate the power of God’s miracles, for it is the only thing that can truly save you.

ORGANIZE YOUR CLUTTER

 
Most of the time, the source of your stress comes from a disorganized and chaotic environment. When you work or relax in a messy place, you’re more inclined to make the wrong decisions. The anxiety and tension accumulated from your surroundings decrease your cognitive function. Spending 24 hours in a cluttered space not only compromises your productivity but also affects your physical and mental health. When this happens, you easily lose focus and are more susceptible to stress kicking in when feeling overwhelmed by the number of tasks and deadlines that must be met.

One productive way to manage stress is to pour your energy into organizing your mess, starting in your home. Getting rid of unnecessary things and leaving more room for what you need is a good way to start. Not only will you have a clean home or workspace but also a little extra money if you choose to sell your things. Having control of what stays and what needs to go makes you feel responsible and empowering. Organizing your thoughts and things should be made a habit to reduce the chances of stress.

EXERCISE

There’s never any harm in exercising to relieve stress. Physical activity puts you in a good mood during any bad day. Also, you can do all sorts of exercise at home without costing a penny. Not only do you feel good about yourself after you exercise, but it also increases your mood and energy to do more productive things. This allows for a developed self-esteem to work on the things you plan on finishing for the day. This is why exercising is one of the best ways to mitigate the negative effects of stress.

It relaxes your muscles which gets the pressure off your back (literally and metaphorically). Moreover, exercising encourages you to slow down and take a break from following an extreme work routine. The kind of exercise you do and how you do it improves your mental health. Your physical well-being plays a huge factor in your overall health.

“Exercise in almost any form can act as a stress reliever. Being active can boost your feel-good endorphins and distract you from daily worries.”

Mayo clinic

WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN

 
Writing down the things you need to do for the day is a fantastic help to organize your thoughts. Seeing your tasks written down neatly on a piece of paper or on a digital calendar appears more manageable than scattered in your head. It helps you prioritize your objectives and get every task done more efficiently. When you’re organized with your priorities, it allows you to have a quieter headspace which means a bigger chunk of brain energy goes to making smart decisions.

This lessens the chance of being prone to stress due to uncertainty and work overload because every assignment is marked and catered to in its specific time. It gives you a clear insight into a bigger picture and an overview of how you spend two of the most important human resources: time and energy. For a more artistic approach, you can also jot down your thoughts and mood to translate your emotions better through creative writing.

CONCLUSION:

 
Before you can manage your stress level, you need to be aware of where it’s coming from. It’s imperative to understand why a particular person/activity/scenario is causing you stress and how it directly affects your mindset and attitude. Without active introspection, you can’t effectively examine the root cause of your stress and in totality, make your life a better one. There are several ways to relieve stress, and each works differently for everyone, but the best ways to manage it are definitely to vent it out through prayer and take a break.

Remember that productivity can mean so many things, and it isn’t always working. To manage stress efficiently is to incorporate a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle where every aspect of your health is taken care of. This means being committed to replacing bad habits with good, productive ones and being intentional about spending your time to improve your well-being.

When you take accountability for the amount of workload you take daily and evaluate the status of your working environment, you can manage how these factors affect your intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships. When your thoughts and emotions are in check, you can discipline yourself on how to respond to the problems at hand. It all comes back to your perspective about life. If you have the optimism, resilience, and gratitude to overcome life struggles, you can rise above the pressure and conquer every battle coming your way.
 

“Resistance creates suffering. Stress happens when your mind resists what is. The only problem in your life is your mind’s resistance to life as it unfolds.”

Dan Millman