Stress management techniques focus on relaxing your mind and body. If you often find yourself stressing out about deadlines at work or feeling overwhelmed with responsibilities at home, you should give some of these techniques a try:
EXERCISE
Exercise is one of the most effective stress management techniques because of the act of walking, biking, or doing yoga releases endorphins, which immediately start working to improve your mood. You should plan to exercise three or four times a week to keep your mood elevated, and if you still start to feel anxious, feel free to throw an additional exercise session in there! If you have not exercised in a while and feel out of shape, start small, like taking a walk around the block or stretching for ten minutes after you wake up.
EXPRESS YOUR FEELINGS
Talking to someone, writing down your feelings in a journal, or even creating a painting can help with your stress management. The last thing you want to do is keep your feelings bottled up inside, so you should express them to yourself or others. If you are someone who finds comfort in confiding in another person, find a friend to chat with over a cup of tea, or if you are more comfortable by yourself, write down your thoughts in the form of a poem or vigorously splatter some paint on a canvas.
MEDITATE FOR STRESS MANAGEMENT
Meditation is about focusing on the present, which in turn can make your stressors seem small in the grand scheme of things. If you are new to meditation, you can search for guided meditations on YouTube, or you can simply find a comfortable place to sit, put on some relaxing music (no lyrics!), and clear your mind of all thoughts. To further increase the benefits of this stress management technique, you can also practice breathing techniques, like taking long, deep breaths.
DO SOMETHING YOU ENJOY
When you are feeling stressed, the last thing you probably want to do is forget all of your responsibilities and do something fun. Yet, you should. Taking an hour or two to read a new book, draw a bubble bath, or play with your dog can relax your mind and give you the mental energy you need to get back to work. If you are starting to feel the symptoms of burnout, plan a fun weekend getaway or even a week-long vacation to the beach to recharge your batteries.
USE AROMATHERAPY
Essential oil lovers probably already know how effective the scents can be in stress management. For instant stress relief, you can dab an essential oil under your nose, on your wrist or add a few drops to a diffuser, and the calming aroma will immediately start to make you feel more relaxed. Some of the best oils to use for stress management are lavender, chamomile, and rosemary.
If you or a loved one is experiencing an overwhelming amount of stress, feel free to contact us and see how we can help.
