Here is a stress management tip—but first, “Why are so many people today dealing with stress and anxiety more than ever before?” The answer may surprise you, and this stress management tip on how to relieve stress and anxiety might just help.
Stress and anxiety can affect people of all ages—whether a person is a student under stress or a person in retirement. The key to dealing with anxiety and stress is through effort and stress management, which leads to anxiety relief and managing stress levels.
Consider these two examples: There was a dentist in Duluth, Minnesota who had more patients at age 89 than he ever had in his previous years of practice. His hands were steady, and his peers considered him very competent. Whenever anyone asked him about the possibility of retirement and giving up the stress, he’d say with a twinkle in his eye, “I’ll quit when they carry me up the hill, feet first.” Apparently, anxiety relief and stress were not a concern to him.
Contrast this with a student in his early 20’s. On many Friday nights, he would meet his friends at a local restaurant. Whenever the subject about school or anything involving effort came up, he had a standard reply: “I have to find good a reason to get out of bed.” Getting out of bed to this young man was stressful.
A Possible Cause of Stress and Anxiety
Somehow, instead of focusing on the satisfaction that comes from one’s own efforts, perhaps society has elongated adolescence.
So it was for this stressed student. Allow me to explain. The recent focus of many parents is on giving rewards to young people in an effort to make them happy. This is in sharp contrast to older generations that focused on responsibility. The satisfaction from one’s efforts brings the greatest of all rewards.
Without realizing it, the modern focus of giving young people rewards and treats for doing what they should be doing anyway has prompted narcissism and lack of effort in so many young people. “Why should I do anything if I’m not going to get something for doing it!” An extension of this is: “Why should I get out of bed when I’m enjoying myself?”
Ironically, by avoiding putting in effort, the young adult was really avoiding one of the main approaches that would reduce his anxiety and stress.
Anyone can find reasons for not getting out of the bed in the morning. The key is to find a reason—any reason—to get out of bed. The mind and body are full of potential. Not taking advantage of possibilities prompts apathy, a cousin to stress and depression.
Tip: To help reduce stress and anxiety, before you go to sleep, think of one activity you can look forward to when you arise. Implementing this stress management tip will ensure a good night’s sleep and help you manage your stress.
You can get many more empowering tips like this one in my award-winning book, Live Without Stress: How to Enjoy the Journey. Buy one and get one free as a gift. You will not want to depart with your own copy. Be sure to check out the Without Stress Facebook Group where you can connect with other life-minded people on a journey to manage and reduce stress.
