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Growing up, many of us probably heard a family member say that someone “sufria de los nervios.” As children, these “nervios” were difficult to understand. Was it because our elders were nervous about something, causing them to not feel at ease? Or was it caused by a specific obstacle, such as financial difficulties? It was the norm to watch as your Latino family struggled with the effects of stress, making us worry about our future.
Although, as adults, we now reap the benefits of our personal independence, we now have to worry about our jobs, our children, the household, and so much more. It is no wonder many of us feel like we are drowning in all the stress.
Stress can take a toll on our mind and body, affecting sleep, energy, mood, and even the immune system.
However, have you stopped to think that we may feel this dread because we were never taught how to deal with the daily obstacles of life? Did our parents’ struggles stem from their inability to cope with stress?
While stress is a normal part of life, this does not mean you have to struggle at the hands of it. It is time to take control of our lives and learn how to manage stress within ourselves and our families to improve our overall health.
Here’s how you can get started.
Open Up
The Latino community tends to be more closed off, opting not to open up about anything that may be troubling them. This can cause an incredible amount of stress on a person, as they can end up using unhealthy coping mechanisms to process their emotions.
You can manage stress by opening up to your family. Talk about your day. Don’t ignore everything you are feeling. If they are bothering you, don’t be afraid to speak your mind.
If you don’t feel your family will understand you, open up to your friends or someone you trust, like a therapist. You would be surprised just how much insight they can offer you and ultimately help you devise ways of managing your stress.
Practice Self-Care
It is easy to feel burnt out if all you do is focus on your work and responsibilities. While it is important to tend to your obligations, balance is key. You will quickly become overwhelmed if you do not take time to unwind and relax.
Just as you ensure your phone’s battery is always charged, it is fundamental that you are mindful of what your mind and body need in order to recharge—set boundaries within yourself and those around you. Truly become intentional about your mental and physical health, feeding your body and soul the things it needs to flourish.
Try to meditate every single day and reflect on your life. After a long day, take a warm shower, slather skincare, and read your favorite book. Give your body cues that it is time to loosen up. Otherwise, it will be working in overdrive.
Organization Is Key When Dealing With Stress
Sometimes, you fall into a constant level of stress because you feel overwhelmed by the number of tasks you have to complete. While it is a normal part of life to feel stressed out by things such as an upcoming deadline, a public presentation, or an exam, the amount of stress can be magnified if you are not organized.
Therefore, to prevent high-stress levels that make you want to cry and hide under a rock, devise organizational methods to help keep you on task. If you are a visual person, buy a planner and write down everything you need to do. If you hate writing everything down, use the notes app or calendar on your phone to receive constant reminders.
Try this out and notice how you will feel more at ease!