Recently, I’ve found that every time I turn around there’s another stressor added into my life, and I’ve developed ways to manage and lesson the load.
Physical activity can help reduce stress hormones and trigger the release of endorphins.
Techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing also help calm the mind and can reduce stress.
My brother taught me that eating a balanced diet can improve your overall wellbeing and help your body manage stress.
I’ve recently switched over to a mostly vegetarian diet where I’ve seen improvement in not only my physical health but my mental health as well.
I said mostly though, I can’t resist a good burger every now and then!
Having three kids under four years old means getting the proper amount of sleep is pretty much impossible but I have been able to get into a better routine where I’m getting more rest.
Quality sleep is crucial for stress management.
Aim for 7-9 hour of sleep per night.
Open communication with friends and family can provide emotional support as well.
Prioritizing tasks which are most important to least important will help you take manageable steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Doing activities you enjoy can provide a break from stress and improve your mood.
For instance, once a week I enjoy going thrifting with my kids and taking them to the park afterwards.
Caffeine and alcohol can increase stress levels and disrupt sleep patterns.
I’m extremely guilty of drinking one too many energy drinks to get through the day but we’re all a work in progress!
Setting boundaries in your life is extremely important.
Learn to say no and avoid taking on too many responsibilities.
I know firsthand saying no is hard being a people pleaser but, at the end of the day, only you deal with the backlash of saying yes to everything.
Lastly, if you are overwhelmed consider speaking with a therapist or counselor.
I was against speaking with a therapist for a long time until it got to a point where I no longer thought I should be here but it turned out I was going through Postpartum depressed and PTSD.
I sat down and spoke with my doctor when I was going through Postpartum and she was a huge help in giving me ways to manage my stress and get to a better mindset.
Taking small steps is the best way to begin, do not overwhelm yourself trying to everything at once.
Implementing these strategies can help you manage stress more effectively and improve your overall wellbeing.