10 Ways To Manage Stress
While the source of your stress may be beyond your control, you do have power over how you respond to it. Here are some things you may do to take care of yourself if you start to feel stressed out:
1. Leave the room.
Moving away from the unpleasant environment and getting up might be really beneficial. A little change of location can assist in separating you from your overpowering emotions. If you’re in an office, quickly go to the loo. Having homework issues? Go to the kitchen for a glass of water and return in 60 seconds.
2. Organize.
Choose something modest; your desk, closet, or to-do list are all excellent options. Spend 20 minutes concentrating on cleaning up; you’ll feel more in control and successful afterward.
3. Do some breathing exercises.
Consider your breathing patterns while you’re relaxed, such as right before bed. Deep and slow, correct? One of the finest strategies to induce a calmer state of mind is to force yourself to breathe in this manner. Start by practising the 4-1-7 breathing technique: inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 1, then exhale for 7 seconds via your lips.
4. Write it out.
Writing down what you feel will help you sort things out when they become complicated and start to bubble up. Try writing down all of your thoughts without stopping for ten minutes as part of a stream of consciousness exercise. You may also write a list of the things that are worrying you; seeing them broken down into bullet points may help you think more clearly.
5. Meditate.
Your body’s “relaxation response,” which is completely different from the typical stress response of “fight or flight,” is triggered by meditation. It lowers your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate—all of which are indicators of mental calmness.
6. Watch something funny.
You can temporarily distract yourself from everything going on by watching an amusing show or movie. Additionally, the best therapy sometimes is laughing! It has a reputation for lowering mental stress and inducing feelings of calm.
7. Exercise.
Physically releasing stress is one of the most effective ways to manage it. Put on your running shoes and go for a jog outside to let your frustrations out as your feet pound the pavement.
8. Write down 3 things you’re grateful for.
Being grateful has been proven to lift your spirits and make it easier for you to deal with difficulties, so it can help you manage stress in the future as well as in the present. Additionally, if you make a note of a few things you’re grateful for, you can always refer to it later when your stress levels start to rise again.
9. Talk it out.
Every minor issue might seem like a big deal when we’re under stress. Talking to a friend, parent, therapist, or another person you trust can assist you in stepping outside of your own head and gaining perspective on a situation.
10. Light a candle or diffuse some essential oils.
Some scents are particularly effective at fostering relaxation. Scents can elicit very strong emotional reactions. Try the scents of lavender, lemon, and jasmine; they are all shown to reduce stress.
