Don't Let Stress Take Over Your Life

In the 21st century, people seem to always be in a hurry. I guess it has to do with the constant improvements the technology offers us and provides us with. It is up to us whether we are willing and ready to embrace everything new that comes into our lives. Sooner or later, we have to, I guess. Don't get me wrong, I am all up for technology improving and easing our lives, but like many things in life, it also has its downsides. At least from my perspective, I feel that the technology that advanced over the last two decades has changed our lives drastically. Just think about it, in the last 20 years, we got mobile phones, tablets and of course the internet.

The biggest downside of all these innovations I believe is the fast pace of our lives that these technological innovations have triggered. We are always in a rush, always needing to stay in contact with what's happening in the world, always wanting to be connected. How often has it happened to you or maybe your family members that you went on a vacation and you found yourself getting annoyed about being on vacation because your hotel did not have a wi-fi connection?

Well, I was like that. Emphasis on "was". Now, whenever I get the chance, I try to disconnect from the online world, and with it the bad news that just don't seem to end. Whenever I go on a vacation, I want to be stress-free, enjoy the beautiful nature that surrounds me and the company of my friends and family, without really caring who is missing me online and what I am missing by not being online for those couple of precious work-free days.

It seems that nowadays we are all leading quite stressful lives, always trying to keep up with the modern technology, always finding that extra second in a day to do and be everywhere possible. Why is that? Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves and do not pay enough attention to our precious time and even more so to our health and well-being? Wouldn't it be far better and more reasonable to take better care of our bodies and minds by simply unwinding on a regular basis and take out those precious minutes in our lives to relax and forget about the everyday burdens that our routine brings us?

Many people don't even find the time to deal with stress even though it is high time they did. Even in moments when their bodies are telling them that the stress has become too much of a burden, many still think that they will manage if they just simply power through those stressful moments at work or at home. But that is simply not the case.

It is important to know yourself and your body - what it needs - either rest, relaxation, or simple venting. What do I mean by venting - well, people deal with stress differently, right? Some people try to find a quiet place where they can unwind and think about their stressful situation, while others tend to do some sports to relinquish their anger and stress, while some, myself included, tend to listen to loud music and while listening scream from the top of their lungs. I find this helps me the most when I am stressed due to work or any personal issues that may pester me.

It is no secret that stress and stressful situations bring a lot of harm to our health and well-being. Stress may lead to an even bigger problem - to depression, which is a serious psychological condition that can end really badly.

Stressful situations lead to higher blood pressure, higher levels of cholesterol, which can both lead to heart failure. Stress also causes headaches, depression, nausea, and much more.

Of course, stress can also result in more physical conditions, such as for example loss of hair, worse eyesight, and maybe the most common - overeating or heavy losing of weight.

Psychologically, stress leads to people keeping to themselves, and backing away from family and friends, not being willing to ask them for help, help they need desperately. I would say that you are never afraid or ashamed of asking for help - that's what friends and family are for! I never had an issue with asking for help. My parents raised me to always be there for my family and friends and I've been lucky enough to surround myself with similar people who are always there for me when I need them the most. I think it is important that one is not left with just their own thoughts, it is of great significance that you are able to open up to the people you trust and share your issues and burdens with them.

Sometimes, we all find ourselves in direct stressful situations that demand immediate action. Many people do not know how to act and react in such situations and simply fall apart, while others know how to deal with such situations. Granted, there are situations that demand immediate action when someone is in distress and needs your help immediately - in such moments, we tend to act on impulse, without really thinking about it.

But there are also some situations when you need to act, but you have time to take a step back, think about the situation, and act afterward. In such situations, I would advise you to take the time to assess the situation, take a few deep breaths, and then act.

If you feel a bit sick and are breathing heavily, it is a good idea to grab a paperbag and start breathing into it with deep breaths inhaling the same air back into your lungs. That will calm you and your breathing down.

At a certain point in one's life, there comes a moment when we stop and start thinking about what we would like our lives to be like. I see myself living somewhere in the suburbs or even in the countryside, in a small house with a garden where I could relax, unwind. I see myself working in that garden, hopping on my motorcycle for a panoramic ride in the country, taking a breather every now and then, without being burdened by everyday stress and worries.

I believe, we all have similar wishes, as we do not want to live a life that would constantly push us to act faster and be more under stress. Our bodies are not made to sustain constant stress, that's why we all break down at least once in our lives and need to recharge our batteries and assess our living situation and plan how we want to live our lives more peacefully.

I love my free days when I can go into nature, calm down, observe the trees and flowers blossoming, the birds chirping, and listening to the wind blowing. Granted, some people prefer living in a big city with all the constant hustle-and-bustle of traffic, people running around, yet, I tend to be more relaxed in a peaceful surrounding, admiring everything that nature has to offer.