Despite all of our conveniences, chronic stress has become a feature of modern life.
Unique circumstances bring unique problems, and to live a more stress-free life in the modern world, we must learn to adapt.
Let’s examine how we can adapt to modernity in a way that boosts our well-being without completely disconnecting from it.
The Sources and Symptoms of Modern Stress
There has never been a time in history when distraction and entertainment have been more accessible, but is this a good thing?
Here are some of our unique modern stressors and their symptoms:
- 24/7 News Access:
- The news can follow us from the moment we wake up to the moment we shut our eyes at night. Views are the top priority of news outlets, and it’s their job to keep your attention for as long as possible.**
**The temptation to “be in the know” is always there, even when we just want to focus on our own lives. Constant news exposure can lead to a pervasive sense of dread about the world, and when we look away, it feels like we’re missing out.
- The Home Life:
- Entertainment, work, and communication can all be accessed from behind a desk at home. Food, and most other items, can be ordered directly to your house. Many of us could choose to never leave home again if we wanted (not suggested).
**This greatly increases the potential for social isolation, which is universally considered to be poor for your mental health.
- Endless Distraction:
- We are never forced to sit with ourselves, and boredom is becoming a rare phenomenon. Technology always provides a way to numb difficult emotions instead of dealing with them. Avoiding your issues creates a cloud over your head that follows you everywhere.
These sources of stress all exacerbate the classic symptoms of chronic stress:
- Sleep problems.
- Anxiety disorders.
- Depression.
- Digestive problems.
- Headaches.
- Heart disease and stroke.
- Weight fluctuations.
- Concentration impairment.
- Memory impairment.
Now, let’s look at all the ways you can find peace and thrive in the modern world instead of being overwhelmed by it.
Stress Management # 1 — Separation of Tech and Life
Most people immerse themselves in technology without a second thought. When it provides you with everything you need, why limit yourself, right?
Excessive smartphone use and being chronically online is a recipe for poor mental health. So, the key to managing your stress levels is to set some ground rules around your tech use.
This means engaging with technology deliberately and consciously.
You can do that by…
- Charging your phone outside of your room at night so you aren’t tempted to scroll before bed.
- Blocking or limiting your time on social media sites or video apps.
- Delaying or giving yourself a set time limit on how much news you consume. (You could choose not to check the news for a whole week, and most likely, you could get caught up in ten minutes on a Sunday morning).
- Purchasing a dumb phone or a flip phone for emergencies only.
- Choosing never to use your smartphone during a conversation or while you’re eating with others.
- Downloading screentime tracking apps and working to reduce your on-screen minutes.
Technology is only going to become more powerful, but what matters is that you learn to control it before it can control you. Tech should be a tool, not a lifestyle.
Stress Management # 2 — Put Real-Life Interactions on a Pedestal
Using technology to speak to anyone you know at will, even if they’re halfway across the world, is nothing short of a miracle.
However, the human need for connection cannot be nourished by remote communication alone. People need to create moments and memories by being together in the real world.
The COVID-19 pandemic left many of us accustomed to staying inside all the time, and some people still haven’t broken the habit. Here’s how you manage the temptation to not be social:
- Be the plan maker — Host events, be the one to spark great conversations and moments. Human connection is an antidepressant.
- Put yourself in novel social situations. Try new social hobbies. This might cause you more stress in the short term, but in the long term you’ll be cultivating new life experiences and making new friends in the process.
- Cultivate your friendships — Be the one to check in on people. Be the friend who is reliable. Show up to important life events. Don’t let the world distract you from the people in your life.
Great relationships are like medicine for stress. The people we love are the people we stress out for, so the more you work to nourish these relationships, the better your life will be.
Stress Management # 3 — Art and Outlets
One of the greatest forms of stress relief can be found in challenging activities. Being fully immersed in a meaningful project will help you transcend your daily stressors.
But what does that mean exactly? It means…
- Finding an artistic or productive hobby and building that skill over time. You can express your emotions through your outlet and give yourself a tool to rise above things that are stressful for you.
- Writing, even if you’re not a writer. Regular journaling is a way of organizing your mind and emotions. Simply putting your feelings on paper will give you a sense of closure. You will literally be getting things off your mind, and this will reduce your stress load.
- Having goals that you can focus on. Your daily progress in a meaningful activity will uplift you when other areas of life become stressful.
Human beings are naturally inclined to do creative work and contribute to the world. Fulfilling that impulse can help you overcome everyday stressors.
The Best Way to Manage Stress Is To Be Conscious of It
Here are a few bonus ways to manage stress in modernity:
- Have a personal exercise regimen that you stick to.
- If you’re feeling stressed while working toward a personal goal, try your best not to abandon your good habits (Sleep schedule, diets, workouts). The more you fall off the path, the more stress will tend to build.
- Meditation is a common recommendation for stress, but it might not be for everyone. Instead, do activities that are contemplative, such as taking long walks without being on your phone and consistently examining where you are in life, what you need, what you’re missing, and where the sources of your stress are coming from.
Please be mindful of the state of your mental health and stress levels. The modern world does not have to overwhelm you. You can work to mitigate your stress so that you can be more in control of your own happiness.
