Mindset

Simple Ways to Manage Stress in Your Life

Yes, you read that right. Simple ways to manage stress in your life is our topic this week.

According to Medline Plus, “Stress is your body’s reaction to a challenge or demand.” And there are two types of stress; acute and chronic stress.

Acute stress is short-term, chronic stress lasts for longer times or comes and goes. Chronic stress can cause anxiety. Both anxiety and stress are not good feelings.

Lack of sleep. No energy. Living anxiously are a few examples of its outcomes.

And trust me, I know how it felt like. It wasn’t fun at all.

We all have stressors in life.

Job. Family. Bills. Problems. Future. Money. Covid. News. Just to name a few.

The title of this blog post is to manage stress. Not to get rid of stress. Why? Because stress is normal. It’s how our body reacts when things feel overwhelming. And when we feel like we’re losing control.

Stress is something that we can potentially face every day. But why face it, when you can manage it?

So there you are, I am sharing the “simple” ways to manage stress in your life. Simple, because it is. And it’s all free!

Ways to manage stress in your life

  • Write it down
  • The 5-second rule
  • Deep breathing or Box breathing
  • Be one with nature

Write it down

Write down what? Yes, I told you it would be simple. Write it down. One cause of stress is the thought of all the things that you need to do. It doesn’t matter if it was a project that you are working on at work. Or the errands that you have to make at home. Write it down.

Instead of going through the process of trying to remember it. And ending up feeling overwhelmed. Write it down. There is something about seeing it all written down. Versus trying to fish it in your mind.

I plan ahead. I would either write everything that I need to do for the next day the night before. Or if I am extra motivated, I will plan my whole week. I highly recommend that you try it out.

The 5-second rule

I learned the 5-second rule from Mel Robbins. It’s from her book, “The 5 Second Rule” you can buy it by clicking on the link. This means that you need to count to five but backward. 5,4,3,2,1.

This technique is perfect when you are going on a downward spiral and feeling stressed out. It’s a pattern interrupt as they call it. Count to five backward and it will bring you back to your original calm state. The book explains the science behind it.

Deep breathing/box breathing

I love love this way of managing stress. To be honest, I use breathing techniques in a lot of things.

I’ve used it when I’m feeling overwhelmed and just needed that feeling of calmness.

The other day, I had another one of those migraine attacks that I have not experienced in years. Even the medications didn’t work. So, I decided to lay in bed. Tried to gain control over the massive pain. Started box breathing. Meaning, breathing in slowly at the count of four. Again, count up to 4 while slowly breathing out. It works!

If you want to test it even more. I close my eyes when doing this and I imagine myself in black and white. And whatever it is that I am feeling. Pain or anxiety. I assign a color to it. Then imagine that whenever I do the breathing process, it is the color that I am breathing out. It’s not voodoo or any witchcraft. It happens to work for me every time.

Be one with nature

Out of all the ways I’ve tried and shared with you, being one with nature is my favorite. Even though, being out in nature triggers my allergies. I wouldn’t replace it for anything.

Sitting down on a beach while looking over the view of a lake is my way of being one with nature. I like the stillness of the water. The green color that it mirrors the trees. The sound of the birds as they fly by. And the breeze. It’s perfect. I challenge you to find your way of being one with nature.

Go to the beach. Hike. Walk in a park. Can be somewhere you can start.

So, there you have it. Simple ways to manage stress! And they are all free. Sometimes, we seek professional help to manage our stressors. Which can be good, but start somewhere first. Start within. Find what technique or way works for you based on the tips I’ve provided.

Now, I want to remind you though that applying these ways does not mean that it will work overnight. It requires repetition and adjustments. But one thing I assure you. If you stay consistent in using even just one technique. It will work wonders and will help you manage the stress in your life.

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