Do you also feel stressed? Let's talk about how to get out of this!

We all feel stressed, overwhelmed, or as we all call it, 'stressed' at times. Even young children can experience this. When you feel stressed, there are things you can do to help yourself. Let's see what they are.

Talk to someone about a problem!

If you are feeling stressed about a personal problem or are worried about something, talk to your parents or another adult you trust. You can even talk to a friend about your problem if you want. Keeping a problem bottled up inside will only make you feel more stressed. Sharing your feelings with someone can help you feel less stressed. Also, talking about a problem can help you figure out what to do about it. Imagine if your friend Nimal was so scared of a final exam and didn't tell anyone about it, that would only make him even more stressed. But if he talked to you about it, you could say something to comfort him, maybe help him study. That's how it is.

Have an "I can do this!" attitude.

Many people feel stressed before an exam, a competition, or an important event in their life. You may feel your heart racing, your hands shaking, or butterflies in your stomach. But don't let those feelings stop you. Use those feelings to prepare yourself even more.

Try this: Rub your hands together, wave your arms, tap your feet on the floor, or walk around a bit. This will release some of the tension in your body, and it will also reduce the feeling of discomfort in your stomach. You don't have to completely release the tension in your mind. You can just keep going. Once you've faced that big moment, the tension in your mind will gradually dissipate.

As you prepare, remind yourself that you have the strength to face this. Gather your self-confidence and courage. Tell yourself, "I can do this!" Then take a breath and try your best. Every time you try something new, it's an opportunity for you to do it better.

Take a breath, free your mind.

When you feel stressed, take a few deep breaths. We also call this ``Deep Belly Breathing''. This calms your body, brings your mind into a place, and helps you gather your inner strength. This is great to do before an exam, or when you're feeling stressed because of a pile of homework. It also helps with the stress you feel when something doesn't go as you expected.

Breathing deeply from your belly can help relieve a lot of stress, but it only works if you've been practicing it for a while.

Get used to this:

• Breathe in through your nose.
• As you inhale, let your belly expand like a small balloon filling with air.
• Then exhale through your nose.
• As you exhale, allow your stomach to return to a flat position.

If you practice this for a few minutes a day, you can use this method to calm your mind at any time.

Put your feelings into words.

Imagine that something didn't go as you expected. You might feel very strong emotions. You might feel sad, disappointed, disappointed, or even angry. There's nothing wrong with feeling that way. But it's not good to use harsh words or actions to express your feelings. When you don't scream, but put your feelings into words, it helps you behave more wisely.

Try this: First, notice how you feel. Then, find words to describe why you feel that way and what it is you're feeling. For example, "I'm really sad that we lost the match. It means we can't go to the `(Finals)`. I really wanted to win." You can say this to someone else, or you can say it to yourself. You can't change what happened. But you can say how you feel and why you feel that way. That can help take some of the pressure and hard feelings out of your mind.

Speak kindly to yourself.

When you're feeling stressed, you might blame yourself. You might tell yourself, "If I had played a little better, we would have won. This is all my fault. I should get off the team." But talking to yourself that way won't help you deal with a problem. It will only make you feel worse. Not only that, it's not kind, fair, or even honest. Don't blame yourself or anyone else for what happened.

Think about it this way: What would you say if your best friend was struggling with a similar problem? Maybe you would say, “I understand how you feel. Losing is hard.” Or you would say, “You played your best – we all do.” Maybe you would sit with your friend in silence for a few minutes.

Then maybe you'll suggest what to do next: "Let's go get our stuff - I'll drop you off." On the way home, maybe you'll try to lighten the mood by reminding your friend of a funny story or telling a joke. Or if you realize your friend isn't ready to laugh yet, maybe you'll both walk home in silence.

Try to treat yourself as kindly, friendly, and fair as you would treat your best friend. When someone shows you a little kindness – even if it’s yourself – the pressure you feel is reduced. You feel stronger, more supported.

Try these things to reduce stress!

When you're feeling sad or stressed, your body may feel like it can't handle it. To relieve some of the stress, try doing something that gives your body a workout. Do jumping jacks, march in place, run, dance, or play a sport you enjoy.

If you need a little peace of mind, you can take a deep breath, do some yoga, or listen to a song. You can write in a journal, meditate, or play with your pet. You can go for a walk or ride a bike. You can draw, watch a comedy show, or spend time with someone who can lift your mood and make you laugh. Doing things like this can help you feel relaxed – that’s the antidote to stress.

Ask for help, don't be alone!

If you feel overwhelmed, ask for help from people who care about you and love you. Talk to an adult. You can talk to your parents, a teacher, a school counselor, or your coach. And don't forget your friends. They can listen to you, be there for you, and make you laugh. When you feel less stressed, it's easier to figure out what to do about a problem.

Remember, you can overcome this. You are not alone.

The most important things to keep in mind (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so, I hope the things we talked about today will help you get over a time when you're feeling stressed or burdened.

• Talk: Instead of dwelling on a problem and suffering in your heart, talking about it with someone you trust can be a great relief.
• Think "I can": When a challenge comes, believe that you have the strength to face it.
• Breathe: Practice taking deep breaths and calming your mind. ``Deep Belly Breathing'' is not just a buzzword.
• Express your feelings in words: Understand exactly what you are feeling and put it into words. It frees the mind.
• Be kind to yourself: Treat yourself the same way you would treat your best friend. Don't blame yourself.
• Do something fun: Do something you enjoy to relieve stress. It could be a game, a hobby.
• Ask for help: Don't try to handle everything alone. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength.

Don't forget, stress is a part of our lives. But we can manage it and be happy without succumbing to it. Good luck to you!

` stress, mental pressure, stress management, tension, calming down, mental health