On stress management

Hi {NAME}! We all know how frustrating it is when our plans don’t go our way. After all the hours and efforts exerted, It feels like we just wasted time and energy. Idagdag mo pa ‘yung nakikita mo sa News Feed mo ‘yung sunod-sunod na wins ng Facebook friends mo. You know it’s wrong, but you couldn’t help but feel envy and compare yourself to them. Then, everything just seems stressful to deal with… Stress is really part of our lives, but don’t wait ‘til it manifests physically, and takes a toll on your mental and emotional health. You cannot control the things that give you stress. But what you can do is manage how to deal with it. You wouldn’t want stressful things to pile up until you implode. Managing stress isn't just about finding coping mechanisms… It's also about creating a balanced and fulfilling life. Here's a couple of tips you can use: Set Realistic Expectations Understand your limitations and set achievable goals. Baka kasi sobrang taas ng goals mo to the point na imbes na ma-motivate ka, lalo ka lang mawalan ng gana kasi alam mong hindi siya achievable within your set timeframe. Unplug and Reconnect Take breaks from technology to reconnect with yourself and loved ones. Sobrang refreshing gawin nito. This was what I did during our Coron trip. If you’re someone naman who couldn’t do this because your work revolves around the use of the Internet and social media platforms… Then, at the least, stop using it once work for the day is done. Challenge yourself. Start lowering your screen time week by week until you can set your gadgets aside without panicking that your client might call or message you. Remember: You’re working to live your dream lifestyle. You’re NOT living to work all your life. Pursue Hobbies Do and/or get back to activities that bring you joy and relaxation, whether it's playing chess, hiking, or playing music. Again, nakaka-guilty minsan mag-allot ng time for leisure purposes… But you can’t keep working and not get trained. This is especially true if you’re a creative or a copywriter. Masasayang lang ang oras mo kakapiga ng utak mo kung anong pwedeng isusulat kung alam mo naman sa sarili mong kailangan mo magpahinga kahit konti. Kung “masasayang” na rin naman pala, why not do something you actually enjoy doing, ‘di ba? You’ll be surprised how the more brilliant ideas pop up when you’re not actually engaged in doing work. 😊 Learn to say ‘No’ And make that your default answer. One of the reasons we get stressed out is because we almost always take on more tasks than we could carry out at any given time. This results in working under pressure that you might not be able to finish everything by the set deadline. I know it’s hard to do this because saying ‘No’ might imply that you are not an expert at the task your client is giving you. But you have to also remember that you are your client’s business partner, not their employee… So be vocal about your boundaries, especially when it’s already crossing the line of your initial agreement. Plan Regular Breaks Incorporate downtime into your schedule, and DON’T FEEL GUILTY ABOUT IT. You’re not a robot that is expected to run while power is switched on. Pushing yourself to the limits may be a good thing to know how far you’ve come… BUT don’t push it too far to the point that your body will show you signs that you have to rest, i.e. suddenly getting sick, fatigue, etc. Even short breaks can recharge your energy so please, don’t deprive yourself of that. Seek Professional Help I’m not a medical professional. HAHA! All I’m giving are tips that can help you live a balanced life while being able to manage stress. S’yempre, if stress becomes overwhelming… Please reach out to a therapist or counselor for support. Don’t self-diagnose, guys. We have professionals who can do that for you. As for me, I’m grateful I have God whom I can always lean on when the going gets tough. And I’ve experienced enough rejections and stressful situations that helped me to pause and take a deep breath to assess my situation. I’ve learned to listen to my body when it needs to rest. Lastly, I’m grateful that I’m now in a position where I can prioritize myself and my family without being worried if my business is still running. I hope you also get to this position soon, {NAME}. 😊 Question. Which among these are you already doing and are planning to do after this? Don’t forget to share them by replying to this email. Rooting for you, Mark Darwin Balaswit P.S. If you want more copywriting, business, and mindset tips and content, Don't forget to [follow my Facebook page here](. Sent to: {EMAIL} [Unsubscribe]( Top Dog Copywriter, Barangay Commonwealth, 1121 Quezon City, Philippines