7 Simple Ways to Manage Stress

Stress is the feeling of being overwhelmed or unable to cope with mental or emotional pressure. Many people feel stressed on a regular basis and some might even find stress helpful. But if stress is affecting your life in a negative way, please seek professional help.

Stress activates your nervous system. Stress affects us in a number of ways, both physically and emotionally and in varying intensities.

When you are stressed you may experience many different feelings, including anxiety, irritability or low self-esteem, which can lead to becoming withdrawn, indecisive and tearful.

Below is a list of 7 simple ways to manage stress:

1. Exercise and Wellness

Exercise is any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and wellness. It is performed for various reasons.

2. Eat and Drink Better

The food and drink we consume powers our bodies and our brains, what we think about information around us and our emotional reactions to situations that arise can all be influenced by the levels of energy, nutrients and water that we get from our food and drink.

3. Reach Out to Your Network

Between texts, emails, phone calls, tweets, Snapchats, and so many other channels, we’re in constant communication with those around us—our friends, family and co-workers.

4. Meditation

Different types of meditation come with different benefits, but some benefits include reduced anxiety, improved self-control, better self-care, and less pain.

5. Prioritise Sleep

Sleep is a naturally recurring state of mind and body, characterised by altered consciousness, relatively inhibited sensory activity, reduced muscle activity and inhibition of nearly all voluntary muscles during rapid eye movement sleep, and reduced interactions with surroundings.

6. Take a Break

To stop doing something for a short period of time, especially in order to rest or to focus one’s energy elsewhere. You’ve been looking after the kids all day—go take a break for a while.

7. Seek Professional Help

Seeking professional help will give you the coping tools and strategies you need. You’ll be able to navigate challenging situations with a greater degree of awareness.

If you feel that you are struggling to manage on your own, then you can reach out. It is important to know that you can get help as soon as possible, and that you deserve to get better.