Managing the everyday pressures of daily life is one of the most important skills that anyone can have in their tool kit to enable them to thrive. There are literally hundreds, if not thousands of articles, research papers and theories around what that tool kit should look like and the type of skills that are vital to hone for best success. So what skills are the experts and scholars of the world actually recommending that we have and how much actual success is really being experienced through the development of these practices?
After trawling the internet, reading some scholarly articles, investigating numerous case studies and perusing several self help manuals over the weekend for the answers to those questions, I have discovered that most 'experts' appear to unanimously agree on the following five 'must have' skills for coping with the everyday pressures of everyday life.
Now I am not claiming that these five tips are the holy grail for ultimate life satisfaction, but just about everything that I did read had these five pointers included in their success criteria for keeping stress levels low and life enjoyment high. I thought that it was interesting that it all pretty much seems to boil down to just five key pointers, and it certainly does align with my own opinions and theories for living a better life, however, as far as the actually information goes, well you can trash it or thrash it, the choice is entirely yours.
Do these five things actually work? Well I would have to assume that if everyone keeps on referring to them as the vitals in a pressure free lifestyle, then there must be some level of success attached to their implementation. It is pretty much impossible to refute a few of them for obvious reasons because they are total no-brainers and everyone knows that adopting them would bring about a level of detox and calm. I do think they are all safe to implement and can't see how any of them would add to anyone's stress load unless they chose a hobby that was stressful, which would be rather counterproductive. But as I said, I am just the messenger, so you make your own mind up.
So without further ado, here is what the experts recommend that you need to employ to get the stress levels in your life down to a minimum.
1. Share Your Feelings. Trying to cope alone is ridiculous and unrealistic. Call on your support network, rally around your friends and share your concerns. A problem shared is a problem halved.
2. Get Real. Drop the need to be perfect, learn to say no and be willing and open to compromise. Accept that you are only human and that everyone gets overwhelmed from time to time.
3. Be Healthy. Eat well, exercise, get enough sleep and cut back on caffeine, tobacco and alcohol. Taking care of your physical self will make your life much easier in the long run.
4. Deal with One Problem at a Time. Address where your stress is coming from and begin to eliminate what you longer need. Make a list, monitor where your tensions lie and make realistic and achievable goals to reduce the high stress tickets on your dance card.
5. Visualise, Meditate, Dance, Find a Healthy Outlet. Finding a relaxing hobby or pastime that you enjoy will not only make you happier and more able to cope with everyday stress, it will also give you something to look forward when you feel like your cup has runneth over.
And apparently that's it! Seems pretty simple in theory, but any fool knows that it's always the practice that takes all of the hard work.
After trawling the internet, reading some scholarly articles, investigating numerous case studies and perusing several self help manuals over the weekend for the answers to those questions, I have discovered that most 'experts' appear to unanimously agree on the following five 'must have' skills for coping with the everyday pressures of everyday life.
Now I am not claiming that these five tips are the holy grail for ultimate life satisfaction, but just about everything that I did read had these five pointers included in their success criteria for keeping stress levels low and life enjoyment high. I thought that it was interesting that it all pretty much seems to boil down to just five key pointers, and it certainly does align with my own opinions and theories for living a better life, however, as far as the actually information goes, well you can trash it or thrash it, the choice is entirely yours.
Do these five things actually work? Well I would have to assume that if everyone keeps on referring to them as the vitals in a pressure free lifestyle, then there must be some level of success attached to their implementation. It is pretty much impossible to refute a few of them for obvious reasons because they are total no-brainers and everyone knows that adopting them would bring about a level of detox and calm. I do think they are all safe to implement and can't see how any of them would add to anyone's stress load unless they chose a hobby that was stressful, which would be rather counterproductive. But as I said, I am just the messenger, so you make your own mind up.
So without further ado, here is what the experts recommend that you need to employ to get the stress levels in your life down to a minimum.
1. Share Your Feelings. Trying to cope alone is ridiculous and unrealistic. Call on your support network, rally around your friends and share your concerns. A problem shared is a problem halved.
2. Get Real. Drop the need to be perfect, learn to say no and be willing and open to compromise. Accept that you are only human and that everyone gets overwhelmed from time to time.
3. Be Healthy. Eat well, exercise, get enough sleep and cut back on caffeine, tobacco and alcohol. Taking care of your physical self will make your life much easier in the long run.
4. Deal with One Problem at a Time. Address where your stress is coming from and begin to eliminate what you longer need. Make a list, monitor where your tensions lie and make realistic and achievable goals to reduce the high stress tickets on your dance card.
5. Visualise, Meditate, Dance, Find a Healthy Outlet. Finding a relaxing hobby or pastime that you enjoy will not only make you happier and more able to cope with everyday stress, it will also give you something to look forward when you feel like your cup has runneth over.
And apparently that's it! Seems pretty simple in theory, but any fool knows that it's always the practice that takes all of the hard work.
IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY
Release Date: 2010
Rating: M
Running Time: 101 mins
A comedy-drama and coming of age tale, adapted from Ned Vizzini's 2006 novel of the same name and written and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. It's Kind of a Funny Story finds its strength in its talented cast, who deliver a quirky and entertaining look into mental illness and relationships.
After contemplating suicide, stressed out teen Craig Gilner decides to admit himself into a psychiatric ward in an attempt to pick up some life management skills.
This is a touching and hopeful tale about people finding themselves and each other within the walls of the psychiatric ward. Zach Galifianakis, Viola Davis, Emma Roberts and Zoe Kravitz all bring some clout and credibility to the story, but it is Keir Gilchrist who steals the show with all of his teenage awkwardness and uncertainty.
The movie tastefully touches on depression, suicide, withdrawal and social anxiety without feeling cheesy or contrived, and although it isn't necessarily a game changer, it is enjoyable and delivers a positive message for overwhelmed teenagers.
FINAL SAY: I'd just live. Like it meant something.
3 Chilli Peppers
Release Date: 2010
Rating: M
Running Time: 101 mins
A comedy-drama and coming of age tale, adapted from Ned Vizzini's 2006 novel of the same name and written and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. It's Kind of a Funny Story finds its strength in its talented cast, who deliver a quirky and entertaining look into mental illness and relationships.
After contemplating suicide, stressed out teen Craig Gilner decides to admit himself into a psychiatric ward in an attempt to pick up some life management skills.
This is a touching and hopeful tale about people finding themselves and each other within the walls of the psychiatric ward. Zach Galifianakis, Viola Davis, Emma Roberts and Zoe Kravitz all bring some clout and credibility to the story, but it is Keir Gilchrist who steals the show with all of his teenage awkwardness and uncertainty.
The movie tastefully touches on depression, suicide, withdrawal and social anxiety without feeling cheesy or contrived, and although it isn't necessarily a game changer, it is enjoyable and delivers a positive message for overwhelmed teenagers.
FINAL SAY: I'd just live. Like it meant something.
3 Chilli Peppers
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