Stress management is a wide spectrum of techniques and psychotherapies aimed at controlling a person’s level of stress, especially chronic stress, usually for the purpose of and for the motive of improving everyday functioning. Stress produces numerous physical and mental symptoms which vary according to each individual’s situational factors. These can include a decline in physical health as well as depression. The process of stress management is named as one of the keys to a happy and successful life in modern society. Life often delivers numerous demands that can be difficult to handle, but stress management provides a number of ways to manage anxiety and maintain overall well-being.
Despite stress often being thought of as a subjective experience, levels of stress are readily measurable; using various physiological tests, similar to those used in polygraphs.
Evaluating the effectiveness of various stress management techniques can be difficult, as limited research currently exists. Consequently, the amount and quality of evidence for the various techniques varies widely. Some are accepted as effective treatments for use in psychotherapy, while others with less evidence favoring them are considered alternative therapies. Many professional organizations exist to promote and provide training in conventional or alternative therapies.
There are several models of stress management, each with distinctive explanations of mechanisms for controlling stress. Much more research is necessary to provide a better understanding of which mechanisms actually operate and are effective in practice.
High demand levels load the person with extra effort and work. A new time schedule is worked up, and until the period of abnormally high, personal demand has passed, the normal frequency and duration of former schedules is limited.
Many of these techniques cope with stresses one may find themselves withholding. Some of the following ways reduce a lower than usual stress level, temporarily, to compensate the biological issues involved; others face the stressors at a higher level of abstraction:
Autogenic training
Social activity
Cognitive therapy
Conflict resolution
Cranial release technique
Getting a hobby
Meditation
Mindfulness
Music as a coping strategy
Deep breathing
Yoga Nidra
Nootropics
Reading novels
Prayer
Relaxation techniques
Artistic expression
Fractional relaxation
Humour
Physical exercise
Progressive relaxation
Spas
Somatics training
Spending time in nature
Stress balls
Natural medicine
Clinically validated alternative treatments
Time management
Planning and decision making
Listening to certain types of relaxing music
Spending quality time with pets
Techniques of stress management will vary according to the philosophical paradigm.
Stress prevention and resilience
Although many techniques have traditionally been developed to deal with the consequences of stress, considerable research has also been conducted on the prevention of stress, a subject closely related to psychological resilience-building. A number of self-help approaches to stress-prevention and resilience-building have been developed, drawing mainly on the theory and practice of cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Here is an example of someone administering the practice.
In today’s modern world, many people are able to find the right way of relieving stress for themselves. Whether seeking help, or on their own, oftentimes the solution is simpler than believed. Taking time to go on a walk, practicing breathing, drawing, and other forms of recreational and leisure activities are seen to be helpful. Other practices are also available, and depending on the individual, will prove to be beneficial; for example, acupuncture.
