Here’s the bad news: everyone has to deal with stress at some point in their lives. It’s just a fact of life – sometimes we will have good days and sometimes we will have bad days.
Here’s the good news: there are ways to manage stress. There is tons of advice out there that says big lifestyle changes are the only way to deal with stress, but that isn’t necessarily true. Here you’ll find six realistic tips to help you control your stress level. They’ll fit into your life, offer you relief, and give you control over your emotions once again.
1. Get a good night’s sleep:
This seems like a cliche that you’re told when you’re young, but the reality is that it is genuinely good advice. When we’re in the moment of stress or panic everything always looks a lot worse than it is. Getting a good night’s sleep won’t solve your problems for you, but that’s not the point. Rest lets your body recharge and makes your mind sharper, which puts you in a much better position to take on those stressors with a positive attitude.
2. Identify what’s making you feel stressed out:
Stress is tricky because sometimes it is hard to identify the root of the problem. Where does your stress come from? Is it work? Your personal relationships? Your kids? Money? Try to pinpoint what triggers your stress. If you can name your stressors, it will be easier to develop a plan to deal with them.
3. Take something off your plate:
These days it’s common for people to be incredibly busy all the time. Whether it’s work, family, social obligations, chores and errands, appointments, or something else, we all have a lot going on. Sometimes, we overbook ourselves. Take a look at what’s on your upcoming calendar. Is there anything you can remove? You’d be surprised how much it can help to simply take something off your plate that has been weighing you down. It can be a big thing or a few smaller things, but if you give yourself a break, your stress levels will be able to decrease enough to help you keep them under control. Don’t let guilt keep you trapped in the cycle of overbooking yourself. Taking time for self-care is not selfish!
4. Allow a loved one to comfort you:
It’s often hard to let someone in when you’re struggling. Maybe you feel like you should be able to deal with it or that you don’t want to bother anyonee. However, your loved ones are in your life for a reason. They love you! They want to take care of you and are waiting to help you. Allow them to do that. Whether it’s a night in with popcorn and a movie, or a sob on the couch, or a night out to just have some fun, let that special person take care of you. It will help ease the weight of your stress in a substantial way.
5. Move your body:
Movement can be a wonderful stress reliever. It doesn’t have to be some hardcore exercise either. Explore a little and find a joyful way to move your body without punishing yourself. You can take a walk, go rollerblading, take a jog, find a yoga class, follow along with a YouTube video, or even just dance around your living room. Movement can release endorphins in your brain that may take the edge off of the stress in your life.
6. Take some “you” time:
This can mean something different to all of us – time spent with a favorite book, a hot bath, journal-writing, going to bed early- as long as it helps you feel relaxed, go for it. Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup – you can’t get anything done if you don’t take care of yourself first. Self-care can become a regular part of your routine so you can keep your stress level low for the long term.
There is no guaranteed way to take care of stress when it creeps up on us, but there is a wrong way to take care of it, and that’s to do nothing about it. These six tips may help you get to the bottom of what’s causing your stress and help you develop a plan to reduce your stress level. You don’t have to live in a constant state of stress. Give these tips a try!
Pivotal Counseling Center has therapists who can help you work through stress and anxiety. We have locations in Woodstock, Illinois, and Lake in the Hills, Illinois. If you are in need of someone to help, please consider giving us a call at (815) 345-3400.
Pivotal Counseling Center is now accepting Medicaid including Blue Cross Community Medicaid, Meridian Medicaid, and Molina Medicaid for outpatient counseling.
