When dealing with stress, many people get frustrated and irritated. College, work, money, time-management, pets/children, and family are often some of the biggest causes for stress. What we all need to remember is that when you're stressed, don't take it out on other people. Of course you may not be able to control an overwhelmingly busy schedule, but you can control how you react to it and how you treat others while under stress.
I've had college friends who get really stressed during the semester, especially during midterms and finals, who handle stress by screaming at everyone, when it has often been their own procrastination that added the unneeded stress. (I procrastinate from time to time, as well, so I can identify with that annoying, self-made stress.) I'm a huge advocate for accountability, so keeping yourself in check with your attitude and tasks leads to a better use of time, which lowers stress. Being mean and negative only adds more stress, which can cause more fighting, guilty feelings for acting out, and with the added stress, you can even become ill.
Stress can cause tension in a romantic relationship, too. It is of the utmost importance, in this case, not to let those negative emotions become a cancer in your life.
Disclaimer: I am beyond lucky to have married the man that I did. We seem to always be on the same page and always seek to understand each other in all situations. I think that this is why I've compared my friendship with my husband to my friendships with my friends. Dylan is first and foremost my best friend. He makes me feel good about myself, he compliments and encourages me, he helps me when I need it, and he allows me to fully be myself, no matter the circumstances.
This past week, I've encountered the inevitable midterms. On top of those midterms, I've been managing a literary magazine, tutoring in my university's writing center, maintaing a marriage and several friendships, along with dealing with some overwhelming (and, to be honest, depressing) family situations. With all of that being said, I'm not Wonder Woman, so how do I manage the stress?
I hold TIGHT to my husband. I let him be my anchor in the storm that surrounds me in almost every waking second of my life. I've been stressed before, but in the past week, I've been STRESSED. When you're going through a tough time, you need to be able to come home to a positive force that can help you relax, even if just for 10 minutes. Those 10 minutes of encouragement is the foundation of the support system that we all need. Think about it this way, in places where earthquakes are more frequent, buildings are build differently, as they require a strong foundation. Be the type of partner that can be relied on when the going gets tough.
Personally, in my marriage, stress often pulls us closer together. I know that I can lean on him and he knows that he can lean on me. Being married is like being on a team and the better you can communicate and relate to each other, the stronger the chemistry will be.
After a long, difficult day I literally need my husband. Together, we have a bubble, where we can support each other to keep going, to work harder, to focus on what needs to be done, all while incorporating a love-based atmosphere. Work towards finding your own inner strength, be thoughtful towards your partner when they're stressed, and be open to that fact that human beings can only handle so much and sometimes, you really can't do everything.
Take a deep breath and keep your chin up, because in most cases, it really is mind over matter.
