Do you want to know how to cope with pressure? This is the chest-tightening feeling everyone experiences at times. Relax. These simple tips can help.
“The only pressure I’m under is the pressure I’ve put on myself.” – Mark Messier.
How to Cope with Pressure: Best Ways to Feel Great Again
How to cope with pressure isn’t something you want to leave to the last minute. Yet, these tips may help you proactively deal with it. You may even find a sense of calm and relaxation.
What It Feels Like
When it builds up, you know the feeling right away. Your chest feels tight, and you can’t breathe. Also, your thoughts and heart race. There’s a knot in the pit of your stomach. You may even feel a headache or migraine coming on. Not only that but you may also:
- Start clipping your words.
- Speak in escalating tones to get your point across.
- Vent your frustration.
- Become quiet because you can’t find the right words to say or don’t want to say anything.
Everyone experiences pressure and stress. However, everyone can benefit from more effective ways to deal with them.
How to Cope with Pressure: Know What Causes It
You may not realize that you heap enormous pressure on yourself. However, others aren’t responsible for this burden. You are. Piling it on repeatedly makes you more constricted, miserable, and unfulfilled.
- High self-expectations mean you constantly put yourself in situations where you’re over your head.
- Thus, you feel pressure to succeed despite knowing you may not be ready.
- Once you know what causes the pressure, you must learn to let go.
Tips to Reduce the Burden
Why not reduce some of that burden? These tips may help.
- Take a few items off your to-do list. Then, concentrate on what you can get done with a focused effort. In this way, you have some accomplishments to feel good about.
- It’s also true that several small tasks completed will add to a feeling of accomplishment. This is just as satisfying as finishing a major project.
- Sometimes, you need a little self-prodding to overcome procrastination and get to business. However, be sure you do something about it. Don’t allow this self-pressure to continue without working on what must be done.
How to Cope with Pressure: When Is It Enough and Not Too Much?
How do you know when pressure is the right amount? If it doesn’t cause you to lose sleep, it’s probably fine. Other signs pressure may be too much include:
- You get sick to your stomach.
- Instead of remaining calm, you lash out at others.
- Your coping behavior becomes self-destructive. This may be drinking too much, gambling, or doing drugs. So, it’s time to ditch your bad habits.
Final Thoughts
It might be a good idea to recognize that you are applying the pressure for a limited-duration, short-term task or project.
What you don’t want is perpetual pressure. That’s highly detrimental to your overall well-being. When pressure and stress build up, fix it. So, you should find ways to release some of it.
- Go for a walk outside.
- Have coffee with a friend.
- Also, you may find it relaxing to take in a movie or read a good book.
- Get some extra sleep.
- Another great tip is to indulge in a massage.
- Engage in vigorous physical exercise.
Besides, these are all healthy ways to release unwanted pressure and to feel refreshed and alive.
