Practical Tips for Managing Stress
Stress can eat away at us, and left unchecked, can take over our lives.
It’s important to have strategies in place to keep stress in check and feel like we have some control in our lives:
Identify the stressors in your life
The first step in tackling any problem is being able to name it. Take a stress test to figure out where the stress in your life is coming from.
Make time to relax and/or have fun
We all need to give our minds a break from constant worry. We need to give ourselves permission to relax or have fun, as these are important for keeping balance in our lives.
If you feel overwhelmed, ask for help
Sometimes we spread ourselves too thin, a handful of stressful things all come up at once, or something unexpected and particularly hard to deal with happens. You don’t have to be a super-hero and handle everything yourself, and no one is going to think less of you if you need a hand with something. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s important to reach out and ask for a hand.
Don’t keep things bottled up
Sometimes we hide our stress so well that the people around us have no idea how we are really feeling – and it’s a shame because talking to a friend or family member can really help put things in perspective. Just getting thoughts out of our head and describing what’s stressing us can be helpful.
Burn off some energy
Physical activity can be a great outlet for stress, whether it’s jogging, swimming, or going for a walk. Keep it simple and try to get a bit of physical activity every day. Developing a routine of physical activity can be tremendously helpful.
Stay socially connected
The more you talk to people, the more connected you’ll feel, and the less overwhelming things will seem. It’s really important to resist the urge to withdraw or isolate yourself from others. Staying socially connected is huge is helping us not feel alone with our struggles.