tools for coping with stress
Life can be so stressful sometimes. It can feel absolutely overwhelming when things change- even when they are good changes.
It is normal to feel stress and anxiety when going through life transitions- good or bad. We live busy lives with so many things going on that it is hard to find time to take care of ourselves well.
If you are struggling with stress or anxiety right now, here are some tools that may help:
Get outside. Being in nature can be very relaxing, especially when we put the phone away or leave it at home. It gives us a chance to be truly present and mindful. There is a ton of research around the benefits of mindfulness to our mind as it helps to reduce all of those annoying anxious thoughts that make us feel bad.
Exercise. There are so many benefits of exercise. Even simply walking and getting our steps in can make a huge difference in how we feel. This is because exercise releases endorphins- those feel good chemicals that help our mind and body feel good. Exercise also helps us to feel accomplished, confident, and motivated to take on the other things we have to do today.
Practice Meditation. So many people say “I can’t do meditation. My mind just wanders and I can’t stay focused.” That is normal! It is what our mind does. And is exactly why meditation is beneficial. If you’ve had a hard time with meditation in the past, try starting with just 5 minutes, or even 3 minutes a day. That is a great starting place. It might seem a lot less overwhelming when you break it down into small chunks like that. The important thing is to make it a habit- every day.
Notice your thoughts and try to reframe them. Oftentimes, when we are feeling badly, whether stress, anxiety, and feeling down, we will notice that we are having a lot of negative thoughts. Start trying to be more aware of what your thoughts are and question them. For example, asking yourself- is this really rational? Is it likely this bad thing I worry about is actually going to happen? Do I have control over this? These questions are a great place to start to help you reframe these negative thoughts that are keeping you feeling stressed or down.
These are just some of the many tools that can help in coping with stress, anxiety, and even depression. If you haven’t tried these before, or you realized you haven’t been practicing them as consistently as before, this is an opportunity to start giving them a try.