7 Practical Ways to Manage Your Stress

Keeping up with my theme of ~balance~ this year is an unspoken set of routines that I practice. These practices have become a part of my weekly routine because it keeps me leveled, elevates my mood, increases my serotonin production – you know all the good feels.

It all has to do with the activities I practice to manage my stress levels. In case you weren’t aware one of the main culprits for sickness is stress. Yes this ambiguous, abstract yet pretty common phenomenon spanning from mild to chronic conditions in our lives, can over time lead to ill-health. Whether that is on a physical, mental or emotional level the results of stress can become detrimental over time and the best way to combat this is to instill practices that help lessen or manage high levels of stress.

In this blog post, I’ll share seven practical strategies to help you effectively manage stress and regain control of your life.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient traditional Chinese therapy which involves inserting tiny needs into certain meridian points (energy points) within the body. Commonly associated with reducing inflammation and supporting healing but also widely known for helping you connect with your parasympathetic nervous system.

Typically stress lives within our sympathetic nervous system, which is where fight or flight lives. Day in and out, we are faced with some level of stress in our lives, and when it becomes chronic even if we think we’re turned off you can actually be operating in that high stress state. Acupuncture is a great therapy for switching on your parasympathetic nervous system where it’s tied to relaxation and healing. Spending more time in the parasympathetic state can help your nervous system relax and have an overall beneficial impact on your wellbeing.

Being Social

I love quality time with my girls. It’s a literal therapy/healing circle for me. Establishing a close-knit group of friends where you feel safe and comfortable can help lower your stress levels. This can also be family, a community of like-minded individuals or just being a part of social events. Whatever fuels you, I encourage you to make that a regular routine so that we can destress with laughter, great conversation and be surrounded by people you enjoy being around.

Exercise

Exercise is more than just an activity I do 3x a week to stay in shape. It transcends beyond the physical effects and really helps me mentally. My gym workouts help me destress especially after a long day – or help me work off any stress that is sitting in my body. With strength training or cardio exercises, it literally clears my mind through all the physical exertion which leaves me relaxed after my gym session.

Mindfulness Practices

Whether it be meditation or active mindfulness practices, focusing on the present is known to be a great tool for managing stress levels. The goal of meditation is to observe thoughts, and be fully in the present moment. Over time you’ll build a practice of training the mind to be more open and less reactive – enabling you to be more equipped to cope when life’s stressors. Meditation teaches you the practice of becoming the observer of mental patterns, with the goal of becoming less affected by them.

Spending time in Nature

Nature walks are linked to stress reduction. Personally speaking, I went walking for 30 minutes and was better able to process and sort through my thoughts. Things I didn’t consider started to make sense to me and more ideas came to mind. As humans, we are natural beings and can return to our core essence in nature so no wonder time spent in green spaces significantly reduces your cortisol, and can boost endorphin levels and dopamine production, which promotes happiness.

Practice Time Management

You never know how much time is wasted until you track your activities which is why time management is a crucial skill for stress reduction. Prioritizing tasks based on their importance and deadlines will help avoid overloading your schedule, and ultimately manage your stress levels. Making time to include relaxation and leisure activities will help you effectively restore balance and your energy.

Prioritize Self-Care

Self-proclaimed self-care queen speaking, self-care is the foundation of stress management. Placing importance on your physical, emotional, and mental well-being will save you from burnout or stressful circumstances. Ensuring you get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, and engage in regular exercise along with the other points highlighted in this article can effectively calm your mind and reduce anxiety.

Conclusion

Managing stress is a critical aspect of maintaining a healthy, fulfilling life. By prioritizing self-care and spending time cultivating practices to manage stress, you can take proactive steps towards a more balanced lifestyle. Remember, it’s essential to find what works best for you and to be consistent in your efforts. Take small steps towards managing stress, and over time, you’ll notice positive changes in your overall well-being.

If this resonated with you, I want to hear it! Let me know what your favourite activity is to manage stress in the comments!