Some techniques for managing stress are listed below:
- Keep a positive attitude.
- Accept that there are events that you cannot control.
- Take some time to reflect on your feelings.
- Learn and practice relaxation techniques.
- Try to organize and manage your time more effectively.
- Set appropriate limits. Don't take more tasks than you can handle.
- Get enough rest and sleep.
- Talk about what is bothering you.
We know that for many people volunteering abroad can be stressful. It's hard being away from home and out of your comfort zone. Even for many, it is the first time out of the country on their own: that's a challenge. For this reason, we try to maintain fluid communication and transmit these thoughts. Volunteers need to be able to manage their time and to know that they can talk about anything with us. It is important to us that the experience is flexible and functional. Why? Because it has to be something that suits both the volunteer and the organizations. We should not demand more of ourselves than we can handle and if at any time we want to do more, it will be a process. We believe that volunteering should be a comfortable environment that creates an atmosphere of trust so that skills can be developed, otherwise it is not a learning experience.
Stress can be an obstacle in our lives. Many times it prevents us from enjoying things we are living: by overthinking, being afraid or anxious. We have to learn to handle it knowing that everything can be modified or adapted. If something is immovable, we must find the best way to live with it. Stress management is about that, a more flexible and less mind-burdened way of life. It sounds simple, but it is not. That’s why is so important to reflect on it.