How to Overcome Stress with the Help of Others

Stress can also be overcome by changing your social environment and using spiritual tools. How can you do it? Read the article below.

Table of Contents

Stress Related to Relationships

Here are a couple of ways that you can use to overcome the stress coming from your relationships:

1. Connect with People Who Empower You

Surrounding yourself with positive and supportive individuals can impact significantly on your overall well-being. Remember that in most cases, we surround ourselves with disempowering co-workers, family members and even close friends.

Test each person weighing how much help they bring to your goals achievement, your mood and the overall quality of life.

If your current circle of influence makes you stressed, seek out friends, mentors, or colleagues who inspire and motivate you.

Engaging in meaningful conversations and sharing experiences with like-minded people can empower you to overcome challenges and achieve your goals. Make these people a top priority in your life so that their attitude will help yours.

2. Be More Assertive – Create Boundaries and Learn to Say ‘No’

When you master assertiveness, this crucial skill can help you take charge of your life. By setting clear boundaries and expressing your needs and opinions, you can establish healthier relationships and reduce stress.

Remember, it’s okay to say ‘no’ when something doesn’t align with your values or priorities. Prioritizing your own well-being is a powerful act of self-empowerment. So evaluate when your friends or co-workers make you more stressed out and then set firm boundaries.

amazon books about assertiveness – edit

3. Visit a Psychologist or Counsellor

Try seeking professional help from a psychologist as it can be a transformative experience. he or she can provide you with the tools and guidance to navigate challenging situations, manage stress, and develop a stronger sense of self.

Therapy can empower you to uncover your strengths, overcome obstacles, and create positive change in your life. However, be always assertive and watch out carefully for the methods your psychologist uses, as some can be stressful.

4. Cuddle with Your Pets

Do you know why they say pets are a person’s best friend? Spending time with a furry companion can be very beneficial for your mental and emotional well-being.

The unconditional love and support they provide can help reduce stress, increase feelings of happiness, and boost your overall mood. Pets will not judge your emotions or words.

So, when stress kicks on the next time, cuddle up with your furry friend for some instant empowerment! listen to its breathing, barking in the case of dogs or purring in the case of cats.

Recommended reading: zootherapy

5. Leave a Stressful Place or Situation

When you find yourself in a stressful environment, walking away is sometimes the best thing you can do. Taking a break and removing yourself from a toxic or overwhelming situation can give you the space you need to recharge and regain your sense of empowerment.

leave the room when your co-workers gossip, give yourself a break from a stressful project and go for a walk in the park. Cancel too many appointments, especially with troublesome people. Prioritise self-care and create distance from negativity.

6. Nourish Your Passion

Engaging in a hobby, bringing you joy and fulfilment, is a fantastic way to empower yourself. Try painting, playing an instrument, gardening, cooking, and dedicating time to activities you love. They can boost your self-confidence and provide a sense of accomplishment. Embrace your passions and immerse yourself in the activities that make your heart sing fully.

The Spiritual Ways of Combating Stress

This is the last but not the least group of tools helping overcome stress. Often neglected, they are also very effective as well.

1. Meditate

Meditation is a practice that has been around for centuries, offering numerous benefits for the mind, body, and spirit. It involves quieting the mind, focusing on the present moment, and cultivating a deep sense of awareness. Through meditation, we can find relief from stress, anxiety, and the chaos of everyday life.

When we meditate, we create a sacred space within ourselves, where we can let go of our worries and connect with our inner selves. By sitting in stillness and observing our thoughts without judgment, we can gain clarity, perspective, and a sense of calm.

Regular meditation practice has been shown to reduce stress levels, improve concentration, enhance self-awareness, and promote emotional well-being. It allows us to tap into our spiritual essence and find peace amidst the chaos.

During meditation, you focus your attention and quiet the stream of jumbled thoughts that may be crowding your mind and causing stress. Meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace and balance that can help both your emotional well-being and your overall health. Mayo Clinic

More about meditation:

2. Pray

Prayer is another powerful tool that can help us alleviate spiritual stress. Regardless of our religious or spiritual beliefs, prayer provides a means of connecting with a higher power, seeking guidance, and finding comfort in times of distress.

When we pray, we open ourselves up to receive divine wisdom, strength, and support. It allows us to surrender our worries and burdens to a higher power, trusting that we are not alone in our struggles.

Prayer can take various forms, including reciting traditional prayers, speaking from the heart, or simply sitting in silence and offering our thoughts and intentions to the universe. It is a deeply personal practice that can bring solace, hope, and a renewed sense of faith.

Recommended reading

7 + 7 Prayers to Transform Your Subconscious Mind

3. Combine Meditation and Prayer

While meditation and prayer are distinct practices, they can be combined to create a powerful spiritual experience. By incorporating elements of both into our daily routine, we can enhance our connection with our inner selves and the divine.

Begin by setting aside a dedicated time and space for your practice. Find a quiet corner of your home or a serene outdoor setting where you can sit comfortably. Start with a few minutes of meditation, focusing on your breath and allowing your thoughts to gently pass by.

Once you have settled into a meditative state, transition into prayer. Offer your intentions, express gratitude, or seek guidance from a higher power. Allow yourself to be fully present in the moment, embracing the stillness and tranquillity.

4. Other Spiritual Stress Killers

While meditation and prayer are powerful tools, other practices can help alleviate spiritual stress:

• Journaling: Writing down your thoughts, feelings, and worries can provide a sense of release and clarity.
• Spending time in nature: Connecting with the natural world can help restore a sense of peace and harmony.
• Engaging in creative activities: Painting, playing music, or engaging in any form of creative expression can be deeply therapeutic.
• Seeking support from a spiritual community: Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals can provide a sense of belonging and support.
• Engage in gratitude: Cultivate an attitude of gratitude by keeping a gratitude journal or simply taking a moment each day to appreciate the blessings in your life.
• Connect with nature: Spend time outdoors and soak in the beauty of the natural world. Whether it’s a walk in the park or tending to a garden, nature has a way of soothing the soul.

One Less-Known Tool

Although this technique should be discussed under the Mental aspect of stress killing, I have decided to write about it at the end of the topic. Why? Because it is essential. What is it?

Change Your Language

We often use negative vocabulary and each word has a meaning. The word “stress” implies problems, destruction, pain, discomfort, and emergencies. However, you can ask ‘How can I name it differently?’

It will depend. “CHALLENGE” is probably the most common alternative to “stress”. It also implies some tension, discomfort and emergencies. However, here you know that it is manageable and the outcome will be positive.

“SITUATION” can also be used here (or “A CHALLENGING SITUATION”) because stress usually concerns a given case, i.e., the situation in your life. You want to overcome stress but to tell the truth you also need to cope with the trigger of stress. and this trigger is a “situation”.

“TEST”. In this case, the challenge may be difficult and is often unplanned. Any kind of stress is a test for you – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. So why not call “stress” a “test” then?

How Can You Change Your Language?

Just start using the new critical key words in any case of stressful situation. You can use them as codes and visualise, ee.g., CHALLENGE – I CAN HANDLE IT.

Other examples:

In the case of a demanding boss, say ‘My boss is a big challenge today.’ ‘Talking to my boss today is a challenging situation.’ ‘I am tested talking to my boss today.’

Any time you think “stress”, substitute it immediately with “challenge”, “test” or “situation”.

Credits to Fox News, Mayo Clinic.

In a Nutshell

Stress is the reaction to a challenging trigger – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The last group of techniques includes prayer, meditation and their combination. You can transform the reaction to the trigger and your approach to it, e.g. by different naming. Good luck with overcoming stress. With lots of love and light,

Vicky Yang