What to Do When Stressed Out

So, here’s the thing. It is your off day at work. After spending exhausting and also fun moments at the office, there’s always a day in a week that you get to be away from it all. Picture the scenario. You are at home, already excited to open your laptop and access your accounts over the net, eager to communicate with far away friends, itching your finger over the keyboard to post a poem or two in your blog or in Triond and curious about what’s happening over your social network in the net. Then, you get a message in your computer saying “NETWORK ERROR”. And after numerous (and I mean NUMEROUS!) attempts, still you get that message. What are those attempts?

A-rebooting your computer,

B-refreshing your broadband connection,

C-roaming all over the house to get a better signal (looking like a total fool, carrying the laptop and sitting at different places in and out of the house),

D-contacting your service provider regarding the problem and getting a meek response!

So, where does that leave you? In a corner of the house, fuming in fury, smoke coming out of your ears and sweat trickling down your forehead with sill, NO CONNECTION. Frustrating ,eh?

Well, that just happened to me, right now, right this moment, right this second. And I have no better option on what to do, but to write and transform those fumes into words. But now I’m in front of a word processor, trying to inspire myself to write something like a good poem so as not to waste my precious off day at work. Still, I am distracted by the idea that I can’t connect to the internet. Much more frustrating, eh?

So what do you do, when this happens to you? And not only things like this, like other frustrating things. How can you relax? How can you calm yourself? How can you drive out that devilish voice at the back of your head suggesting mean things to do just to satiate your temper? A devious voice murmuring – “kick the wall”; “slam your laptop”; “scold the dog”; “shout at the first person to call you” or even better – “call the network provider and ask for the manager then shout at the manager” – all those unnecessary and out of the blue devious, destructive thoughts kept popping in your head.

But I’m ok now. So, what to do to relieve the stress?

First, stop. Literally stop. Stop typing, stop doing anything and stare at nowhere in particular. Be a statue, be lifeless for one moment. Just be still. In this way, you can stop your brain from working.

Next, close your eyes and breathe. Do these for a minute or so or until you feel your pulse slowing. Count your breathing if you must, just to stop your mind from wandering off to that thought that’s causing you the stress. Breathe deeply to allow all the oxygen to enter abundantly in your bloodstream. This will cause your blood to circulate more evenly and prevent it from boiling in your head. Oxygen also cools off your body.

Then, open your eyes and stare at something green. Or look at something that pleases you – like your favorite watch, your cute plant, or even your funny grandmother. Pump up your stereo and listen to something relaxing. This further relaxes your system and in the mean time, allows your brain to work again by thinking of that particular thing that you’re staring at.

Lastly, pray. Whatever religion or sect that you’re in, there must be a way that is similar to praying. Ask for forgiveness that you got mad, or stressed or frustrated. Pray that you will be enlightened. And thank God that you came to a point that you realized life is too short to be mad. Life is too beautiful to spend even a minute frowning and fuming with hate or anger over something that doesn’t really matter.

That’s it! It worked for me; maybe it will work for you too! I am human, and I guess you are too? Hope I’ve helped in a way. Remember, nothing beats our own problems but our own solutions. Simple yet true.