Stress isn’t a nice feeling to experience, but we all have to deal with it from time to time. It could be an upcoming driving test or exam that’s got you on edge. It could be something more long term such as tension from work or with family. While stress in the short term can give us the useful boost of adrenaline we need, over time is can actually be very damaging. Chronic stress is linked to conditions such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and even Alzheimer’s disease. For this reason, learning how to cope and deal with it is important for both mental and physical health. if you’re currently dealing with tension and stress. Here are a few things to try.

Find Ways To Relax

For some people, relaxation is a hot bubble bath and an hour of meditation. For others, it could be an intense gym session or a run around the track. Whatever it is that helps you de-stress and relax, make the time to do so. Providing you’re not turning to unhealthy ways to cope such as drugs, alcohol or binge eating, understanding how you personally deal with and can de-stress and help you no end. You could have a relaxing massage, get lost in a book or movie, do something creative such as painting or writing. Either way, work out what makes you feel better when you’re stressed or tense.

Talk to Close Friends and Family

Bottling up problems and keeping them to yourself can make them feel even worse. Sometimes just saying things aloud can help you to understand how you’re feeling, and you could gain a new perspective by speaking to someone else. It’s healthy to talk about and express what’s going on inside your head. If you need to have a vent or a cry then doing so, rather than trying to hold it all in can make you feel much better. Holding in your feelings is a lot like shaking up a pressurized container. Eventually, everything will come exploding out at force. Speaking to someone can stop it from getting to this stage.

Write a Worry Journal

The problem with stress and worry is that it can spiral. Many people reach the stage where they’re thinking about it all day, it can be so intense it can lead to further issues with both physical and mental health. One way you can try to break this cycle is to write a worry or stress journal. Here you allow yourself a set amount of time each day to think about your problems, and after that time is up you close the journal until the next day. This can be beneficial as you’re not simply shutting out or trying to forget about the issues you have. But you’re not spending all day agonizing over them either. You should try to clear your mind of all stressful thoughts until the next time you open your journal. It’s a good way to train your mind, and it allows you to get on with things during the day with a much clearer head.