In today’s fast pace society, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, which can lead to stress or anxiety. Stress is a response to pressure or threat. Under stress we may feel tense, nervous, or on edge. This stress can have a physical response too. Some of these physical symptoms include headaches, insomnia, and back/neck pain. Below, we’ve compiled a list of ten healthy ways to manage and combat stress.
- Start waking up earlier. The earlier you start your day, the more likely you are to be productive.
- Prepare for the morning the night before. Whether you’re rushing to work, or getting kids off to school, lay out clothes and pack bags/lunches the night before; you’ll be much more relaxed in the morning when you’re getting ready for your day.
- Focus on what you can control. Some of life’s stressors are out of our control. Instead of lingering on things you can’t change, try to work on the things you can change. Chances are, you will relieve so much stress just by shifting your focus.
- Read a book. Taking an hour or two to sit down and read a great book will help your mood more than you realize. It’ll let you escape from your stress for a while and delve into a different world.
- Watch a funny movie or TV show. Let yourself laugh a little by watching your favorite comedy.
- Take a break from social media. Social media can be very overwhelming sometimes. You may find that taking a break from it helps to relieve your stress.
- Say “no” more often. This is often hard for many people because we don’t want others to be disappointed in us. As much as we’d like to be perfect and do everything, we have limited time and energy. It’s okay to say “no” to things we can’t handle when we’re already busy and stressed.
- Manage your time well. Spend more time on the things that are top priorities in your life, and you will find greater success in the areas that are important to you.
- Talk to someone you trust about your feelings. Whether it’s a family member, friend, or a professional, talking about your feelings to another person often helps to alleviate stress.
- Write in a journal. If you don’t feel like talking to someone about your feelings, you could also write them down in a journal to get the negativity out of your system.