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Whether it be an unexpected work project or traffic, I tend to get stressed easily. Since college I’ve made some progress in managing my stress. Although I am not perfect, I have discovered a few ways to calm my worries. Everyone is different and is dealing with different struggles so this won’t work for everyone. I do hope this helps someone out. Let’s jump into it:
Walk Outside: Whether you have five minutes or twenty minutes, you can go for a quick walk outside. I find so much relief in stepping outside and taking in nature. Walking will help calm you and will get you to move around to remove any tension; this is especially important if you have a desk job or are in class all day.
Breathe Deeply: This is by far the simplest one. You can do this anywhere, anytime. Our breathing speeds up when we are “fight or flight” mode (i.e. under a lot of stress). To help yourself calm down quickly, take deeper breaths. Inhale for 5 seconds, hold your breath for 5 seconds and exhale for 5 seconds. Focus on your breath for a few minutes. This will switch your focus and provide some relief. Your entire body will calm down and your stress levels should decrease.
Write: I find writing to be incredibly helpful when my mind is racing. When I write down everything that is worrying me, I feel like all my thoughts are out of my head and on paper. I don’t have to stress about these things anymore because I have written them down. This is especially important if you don’t have anyone around to talk to.
Self-care: Make sure you are taking care of yourself. Last year I dealt with several family emergencies and I stopped taking care of myself. Focus on nourishing yourself, exercising, and getting enough sleep. Although don’t forget to include fun things like bubble bathes and catching up on your favorite tv shows.
Plan Ahead: If you struggle with consistent stress in your life, try to plan ahead. I like to meal plan (either the night before or at the start of the week), make to do lists (the night before), and organize my planner (decorating and writing in appointments for the week). This really helps me and ensures I don’t forget any tasks.
I hope these tips were helpful.
Do you have any tips to share?
