Stress is a part of life and, unfortunately, everyone goes through stressful situations every once in a while. It does not help when you have to live up to the expectations you have for yourself and that others may have as well. There is nothing worse than being overwhelmed by your responsibilities and feeling as if things are never going to change and that nothing you do is ever good enough. It does not matter whether you are a full-time college student or a full-time employee, everyone deals with different types of stress that deeply affect their lives. However, when it comes to a point where you feel as if you can’t take it anymore, it is time to step back and take a deep breath.
Even extremely successful people have to deal with stress in their lives. The best example is the song “Under Pressure” by Queen and David Bowie! No one is immune from feeling overwhelmed by life. Still, it is important to remember that, even though it might seem impossible, it is possible to thrive under pressure. Here we have compiled a few tips to help you get the best out of hard times, so you can overcome whatever is bringing you down and rise as a successful person.
Too Much Stress Doesn’t Take Anyone Anywhere
Some may argue that being a college student is no reason for stress because all that you have to do is show up to class, study, and do all of your assignments. Still, no one would tell a person that has a full time job that they have no reason for stress because all that they do is work. People deal with stress differently and what may seem like something simple to someone, may actually be extremely stressful to someone else. Whether you have to study, work, or study and work all the time, you have a right to feel overwhelmed and no one should be able to dictate how you should and should not feel.
Within society, there is often an underlying expectation that people should not succumb to stress and that they should continue to work as much as humanly possible. It is almost as if people are expected to feel ashamed to admit that they can no longer deal with stress, and that they should just suck it up and accept it. This is how you are basically buying yourself a ticket to serious health issues such as heart disease, a stroke, or a mental breakdown. The truth is that stress can and will seriously affect your health if it goes untreated; therefore, it is better to deal with it when you still have a chance to turn things around than when it is too late.
The Importance of Putting Yourself First
In order to thrive under pressure, it is important that you are able to understand what is the source of your problems. Sometimes, someone may feel incredibly stressed, but they are unable to determine the cause. This is why it is important to take some time for yourself in order to identify what is causing you so much stress. Moreover, you should remember to always take some time to take care of yourself. Self-love is extremely important in order to succeed in life and deal with stress.
Even though you might be worried about being selfish, you should leave your worries aside and take care of yourself. The truth is that if you are not making sure that you are okay, the chances are that no one else will. Reserve some time to meditate, even if you had never done it before it is totally worth it to try it! Watch some yoga videos and do it right in the middle of your living room. Light up some candles and bring out your favorite bath bomb! There is nothing like a warm bath or a warm shower to help you relax. Why not take some time to catch up with your favorite TV show, listen to some music, or read a book? People who are under pressure often forget the feeling of little pleasures such as those.
It is very important to be able to let go of the mindset that taking some time for yourself is a waste of time. Remember: your mental health is extremely important. Once you are able to spoil yourself and to relax, even if just for a little bit, you will feel completely renewed and ready to deal with anything.
Slow Down, Take A Look Around, And Stay Positive
Taking time for yourself also means to slow down, take a look around, and identify the reasons why you are feeling under pressure. If you are feeling stressed because of school, why not try to come up with a schedule that will allow you to finish tasks daily and have some time for yourself? Do not be afraid to take advantage of what your university has to offer: meet with a counselor, talk to your advisors, or even email your professors and tell them about what you are going through. If you are feeling overwhelmed because of work, take some time to organize yourself, to think if you are doing what is best for you, and do not be afraid to move on if you have to. You should not be stuck anywhere where you feel as if you are wasting away just for a paycheck.
If you are feeling pressured by a family member, a significant other, a friend, do not be afraid to reach out to them and let them know how they are making you feel. You should not want to be around someone who is only talking down to you, bringing you down, overwhelming you, or doing anything that you know that does not make you feel good. Toxic people are not the type of people you need in your life, regardless of who they are. Take some time away from anyone who is toxic to you and, if they are a significant other or a friend, do not be afraid to cut them out of their life. You should surround yourself with people who lift your spirits, who are honest with you, and who truly care about you.
Although this may sound like a cliche, do not be afraid to exercise positivity and to try to always look for the bright side of things. It does not matter how dark, hopeless, and awful things may be, there is always a way to turn things around and to bring happiness into your life. Once you start practicing positivity, soon you will find yourself always looking for good things to say. The truth is that being positive is like having a superpower: once you start looking for the positive side of things, you will start to turn things around and, suddenly, everything will start to feel more manageable. You can use positivity for basically anything, even people! You should always try to be surrounded by positivity and things which make you feel good about yourself.
Remember: You Are Not Alone
You should not and you do not have to go through anything on your own. Even though you may feel as if it is your job to change your own life and get out of the dark hole you are currently in, you do not have to do anything on your own! Remember: you have people in your life who love you, who care for you, and who are here for you. Sometimes, the best answer if you want to thrive under pressure is to find someone who you can share your pains and sorrows with. There is nothing like an outsider opinion in order to perceive how you can do things differently and to alleviate some of your tension. This is why it is so important to be able to take some time apart from and even cut out the toxic people in your life. Whether you believe it or not, negative energy is contagious and being around someone who only brings negativity into your life only makes you more susceptible to stress and to feel under pressure.
Once you are capable of taking some time for yourself and identifying what is pulling you down, you can come up with ways to deal with your stress. Even when you are feeling overwhelmed, it is possible to find ways to manage your time and your assignments. Moreover, you should not be afraid to ask for help, whether it is from family or friends or professional help. At the end of the day, in order to thrive under pressure, what matters is that you are capable of taking care of yourself and remaining positive so you will be able to deal with everything that comes your way.
