Overcoming Adversity: Coping with Stress
By Damilola Busari
Currently, in Nigeria, there is a daily increase in fuel prices, a constant struggle to collect Permanent Voters Cards (PVC), and a scarcity of the new currency issued by the Central Bank Nigeria (CBN). So, an average Nigerian will spend hours queuing at filling stations to get fuel at exorbitant prices, also queue at the bank to access the new currency or the other option is to pay ridiculously high charges to get them from POS vendors. Despite all of these challenges, we still have to show up to work (and perform well) and go about our daily activities.
Oh, lest I forget, there is also the issue of INEC delaying the distribution of PVCs despite the fact that the general elections are just a few weeks away. The toll of all of this, coupled with demanding workloads and in some cases unemployment, can result in a general state of distress known as Stress.
Some common signs to know you’re stressed include; headaches, mood changes, fatigue, dizziness, digestive problems, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, muscle tension, and physical aches and pains.
Some tips on how to reduce stress
Track your stressors and build awareness; It’s important to identify the situations that cause you the most stress and how you respond to them. Also, increasing your understanding of how stress impacts your well-being can motivate you to interrupt the stress cycle and prioritize rejuvenation.
Take time to recharge; To avoid the negative effects of stress and burnout, we need time to recharge by switching off from work for a period of time.
Set Boundaries; Boundaries help us choose meaningful priorities and let go of the things that don’t provide nourishment. Work-life boundaries are a good example.
Learn to relax; Meditation, deep breathing exercises, and mindfulness are all techniques that can help relieve stress. Start by devoting a few minutes each day to a simple activity such as breathing, working, or enjoying a meal.
Get some support; Accepting help from trusted friends and family members can help you manage stress better. If you continue to feel overwhelmed by stress, you should consult a psychologist, who can help you manage it better.
“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.” – Etty Hillesum
