Be Better at Stress

Today I'm bored at work. As I search social media for interesting articles to share for work, I often come across interesting articles about mental health. I usually hone in on articles about stress, self confidence and emotional resilience.

I felt that this article, "How to Be Better at Stress" was very interesting and extensive.

https://www.nytimes.com/guides/well/how-to-deal-with-stress

The article goes over many different strategies that can help people cope with stress in their lives. I'm going to just review the section titles and evaluate where I'm at on these topics.

• Perception of Stress: This topic is regarding how you think about the stress at hand. Do I view it in a way that makes it seem insurmountable? Am I thinking about how the stress is making me feel worse? Instead of dwelling on the stress, its better to try to put a positive spin on the situation, because thinking negatively will only make it worse. The hard part here is identifying when I'm doing this to myself, and making it stop.
• Stress Inoculation: Scientists think that subjecting yourself to stressful scenarios will prepare you for when you are facing a situation that you did not expect. Most often they recommend public speaking, karaoke, performing before a crowd... none of that stuff really phases me, so I tend to shrug it off. "Oh, I don't need to focus on that." But that's wrong. There are plenty of social situations that I DO avoid and that DO stress me out. Things like going to a restaurant by myself or attending an event by myself. I'm not sure that it's being on my own that makes me insecure... I think it's more that I see other people with friends and having such a better time than just me, myself and I. But that's really just me focusing on other people instead of myself. Soooo yeah I gotta push myself to be in more awkward situations so I can learn to deal.
• Resilience: If anyone is reading this blog, then maybe you have noticed that I am working on emotional resilience. I feel this is my weakest point. I have zero emotional resilience, and at times I can dissolve into a puddle of tears over the dumbest things. It's very hard for me to stop myself once I'm already on a downward spiral. However, I am starting to recognize the onset of tears and working on ways to distract my mind from focusing on the sadness. It allows me to calm myself down. But I don't always catch it. Work in progress.
• Exercise: Yes, of course. This is what everybody says. Unfortunately I'm not listening. I have a decent excuse with my bulging discs in my spine. However, that really shouldn't stop me. Laziness is really the problem. There is a gym near my office. All I need to do is bring a gym bag and I can go at lunch. After work. Whenever. But I don't have a decent gym bag, that's my initial excuse. Also I hate carrying extra bags around during the rush hour commute. But would I rather be fat forever? No. Maybe I need to shut up and get a fucking gym bag. Then it cycles back to the whole Stress Inoculation, being scared of doing a thing by myself. Sounds like I'm already working out ways to work on both these issues, if I don't stop procrastinating. 
• Relax Your Mind: This topic I do think I'm doing ok with, compared to these other issues. I'm pretty good at cutting out time for myself to decompress. I smoke weed and relax. My FitBit has a 2 minute breathing exercise that I do actually use at times (should do it more though). I would like to try to actually meditate a bit more. Or find some money so I can go back to the Crystal Light Bed. That thing was the best. 
• Food: Another topic I need to work on... but it's very hard for me right now. Everyone says oh you should cook your own food, it will be healthier and cheaper. But I share a kitchen with 2 moms, 2 dads and 2 little kids. Fridge space is a hot commodity. People eat your food without realizing. So the whole cook your own healthy food really only applies if you have your OWN fucking kitchen. For now, my diet is more about timing. I try to eat the most calories at lunch, when I'm in the city and walking and burning calories. Sometimes I don't have dinner, but I'll have a snack in the evening. Honestly, it's rarely healthy. But also honestly, I would be eating that unhealthy snack whether I ate dinner or not. So I figure if I'm gonna eat a bunch of M&Ms minis, it's better if I didn't already just have a burger and fries minutes before. I know this is not healthy. I am aware. But I'm picky and it's not as easy to achieve these things as it might be for others. Getting the gym is more likely to happen than a vast dietary change. 
• Support & Relationships: Heh. Another issue. I have a very small circle of friends that are not always available when I need them. My family life is not great either. Bottom line here: I need new friends. More friends. Not just internet friends, actual in-person friends. Maybe if I put myself in some of these uncomfortable situations like going to the gym alone or eating at a restaurant by myself... maybe I'd meet a friend. Only one way to find out. *grow a pair*
• Health: Obviously I'm not in optimal health but I'm doing OK. I had a checkup less than a year ago and had healthy vitals. Stress isn't causing high blood pressure yet.