De-stress for Stress Awareness Month (and every other month, too)
Does life feel overwhelming sometimes? Do you ever feel anxious? Do you know what factors make you feel stressed out? Well, April is Stress Awareness Month, so let’s dive right into this topic, because it’s an important one.
We’ve all been stressed out of our mind before. We got work, events, finances, errands, families, and lord knows what else. It can be a lot, and feel like way too much.
This month is all about having that conversation and managing that thing that everyone is feeling: stress.
Here are 7 things we can all do to manage our stress:
1. Sleep!
This one might feel impossible at times. It can also feel like an endless cycle… You’re stressed so you have a lot on your mind, so it keeps you up at night. But you know you have to sleep, so you think about sleeping and may start to stress over the fact that you’re not sleeping, which keeps you up and ahhhhh! Yeah, we know. But a lack of sleep is a common cause of stress, because we can’t operate and perform at our best without an adequate amount of slumber. Here’s a tip: Don’t take your phone to bed with you. They keep our minds on constant overdrive. Instead, read a book, write in a journal. Get that sleep in, squad!
2. Relaxation techniques.
OK, yoga and meditation aren’t for everyone, but they’re worth a try. If you love, them, keep doing what you’re doing. If you’re not feeling it, try another relaxation method. There are a bunch. When we relax, our minds can reset which allows us to relocate our sanity; we are able to put things into perspective. Like any other skill, this is something that needs to be practiced. Take the time to practice.
3. Plan ahead.
Planners can get a little pricey, but they are worth it! Even if you don’t want to buy a physical planner, utilize a planning tool, be it on your phone or laptop. Every Sunday, take a half hour to organize your week. Wednesday You will thank Sunday You, we promise.
4. Write it down.
You don’t have to do this in anything fancy; it’s just has to be done! Be honest yourself. How did you feel at each point of your day? What factors of your day caused you the most stress? What were you doing when you felt relaxed? Write all of these things down and you will start to see patterns. Did you feel stressed about getting to work on time? Maybe you start to set your alarm 15 minutes earlier and set your clothes out the night before. Did you feel stressed when you checked your debit card balance? Maybe you look at your spending and cut that unnecessary bagel or Uber ride. Pay attention to how you feel and make adjustments where you need to.
5. Talk to someone.
You all know how much we love us some good ‘ole conversation. Talking it all out can help. You can talk to a friend or a family member on what’s going on. If you feel like your stress feels more chronic, you may want to talk to a professional. If that’s the case, reach out and find a counselor you feel good about. There’s nothing wrong with that.
6. Get comfortable with saying “no.”
You don’t have to do it all. Yup, you got the invite to that dinner party. You feel obligated because the host said she would really love if you attended, so you RSVP’d “yes” knowing you had that project and all those errands you didn’t get to. Stop. You don’t have to add more to your busy schedule. Instead, tell that friend you need to take a rain check and get through your week without wanting to rip your hair out. Now doesn’t that sound nice? Yeah, we know.
7. Get sweaty.
Whether it’s taking a long walk with your dog or going to a kickboxing class, get your sweat on! Exercise can make your body stronger and healthier, but it can have the same effects on your mind. Physical activity can help alleviate some of that pent up stress, so take some time to get after it. Clean You will thank Sweaty You, we promise.
Stress is normal and natural, but too much is unhealthy. It is so important to figure out what stresses you out and minimize those factors in your everyday life.
Hope this helps!
Love Squad