Stress Management Tips
Stress… something we all know too well.
Thankfully, there are many practical and helpful tools we can use for managing stress when it starts to affect us negatively. (P.S. Not all stress is bad stress, but that’s a topic for another time.) Let’s get right to it…
DO something. Please, please, do not just push it all away, bury it, and leave it somewhere to rot and die. That’s never a good option and creates more problems on every level- physical, emotional, mental, spiritual… just trust me, DON’T ignore your stress.
Prioritize! Having too many things on your plate is overwhelming. Usually they are not ALL high priority. Make a list of what you need to do, and then pick 2 or 3 that are most important for you to finish up first. Bonus if they are also the ones that you can complete quickly. Being able to quickly knock a task off your list will feel good and make space for some of the tasks that will take more time and energy.
Delegate the low priority tasks that you identified in #2. Even though it might not be done how you would like… ration your energy and hand off some tasks that others can do. Maybe this means letting your assistant respond to low priority emails… hiring someone to clean your house… letting the kids “wash” the dishes… or bribing your younger brother with leftover holiday candy to do one of your chores (okay, make sure you clear that by your parents first)… but you get the idea. You don’t have to do it all yourself.
Take breaks… yeah, I know that sounds contradictory to #1, but you have to balance facing stress with taking an intentional, purposeful break from stress.
What does a break look like?
Watch one episode of your favorite show [note: I did not say binge watch your favorite show for the next 3 days].
Go for a walk… look at the sky, trees, and stop and smell the flowers.
Put on your favorite song and have a quick dance party.
Basically… do something that you enjoy.
Perspective. We can get so caught up in the rush of life that we lose sight of the bigger picture. Take a pause, a step back, and look at the bigger picture. How much will all of these “pressing” things matter in a month… 6 months… a year… 5 years? Much of what we stress about will probably not seem that important 5 years from now.
If you are a person of faith… take time to pray. Ask God to help you keep what is really important in mind. Pray for patience, wisdom, and self-control while you manage your stress. Search the Scriptures and remind yourself of God’s truth regarding stressful circumstances. Don’t forget to keep eternity in mind.
Talk to someone. We were made for community and relationships. We need each other. Seek out your support system and if needed find professional help. While friends and family can be great sources of support… sometimes they are too close to a situation to give you a different perspective. Or maybe they are part of the stress. Talking to a neutral party can be a great resource for gaining perspective on how to manage your particular stressors.
Okay, now you’ve read some tips for stress management, however, they will be of no use to you unless you put them into practice! Which one will you start with?
If you realize that you’re too stressed and would benefit from professional help, reach out to me to discuss how we can work together to help you improve your wellbeing.
By Amy Neal MA, LCMHC
January 5, 2020
Categories: Anxiety treatment, Mental Health, Stress Management, Health and Wellness