Learning to manage stress is not easy, but it can help you balance what is going on in life and keep you healthier. Here are 5 tips to help relieve day-to-day stress.
Stress is a normal reaction the body has when changes occur, resulting in physical, emotional, and intellectual responses. While stress itself is not a bad thing as it helps us recognize threats, long term stress can cause mental and physical health problems. Learning how to manage stress is important. Here are 5 tips to help relieve day-to-day stress.
Reflecting – If you find you are stressed frequently, try taking some time to reflect on the things that are stressors for you. Acknowledging the stress can help you gain more perspective and then you can come up with a plan to resolve what is causing it. Maybe you need to take on less responsibility somewhere or have a hard conversation in a relationship. Not everything you stress about is in your control, so it is important to sort through what you can change and what you can’t.
Exercise – You don’t have to become a fitness fanatic but finding simple ways to incorporate movement will help reduce stress! Take a walk around the neighborhood or a park, ride a bike, dance, etc. Find something you can do that will help get the heart rate up.
Breathing/Stretching – If you need in the moment stress relief, try breathing exercises. This can help relax the heart and mind. One method recommended by NHS in the UK is to
- Take a normal breath.
- Take a deep breath in through your nose (as in your chest is rising deep).
- Breathe slowly out through your mouth.
There are other relaxation options out there like yoga and mindful breathing that focus on reducing stress.
Disconnect Online, Connect with People –
It is natural to want to isolate during stressful times, but connection is important. You can spend time with family or friends or find a community you can get involved in. This can help you gain perspective and provide you a support system when things are stressful. Find someone you can talk to about the stress in your life. Talking about it can help relieve stress even if it doesn’t change the situation.
Relaxing Activities Spending time aimlessly scrolling online might seem good in the moment, but it is not a healthy coping mechanism. Try putting the screen down and find a relaxing activity to engage in like:
- Hanging out with friends and family
- Finding a hobby like crafting, cooking, or a physical activity
- Volunteer work
- Spending time in nature
- Reading a book
- Attending community events
If you feel your stress is overwhelming or causing barriers in your life, seek out professional help. There are many resources out there that can get you connected to someone like here.
Learning to manage stress is not easy but it can help you balance what is going on in life and keep you healthier. If you are stressed about things like employment or finances, you can connect with a coach who can sit down and help you figure out what your next steps are. Just call 317-639-6106 or fill out this form to get connected to Mary Rigg today.