Easy Ways to Deal with Stress
Stress happens to everyone, but long-term stress can strain your body and make it impossible to function. Finding effective ways to deal with stress is essential to mental well-being.
COMMON SIGNS OF STRESS
- Headaches
- Trouble sleeping
- Jaw pain
- Changes in appetite
- Frequent mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling overwhelmed
DID YOU KNOW?
When experiencing long-term stress, your brain is exposed to increased levels of a hormone called cortisol. This exposure weakens your immune system, making it easier for you to get sick.
WHEN STRESS IS MOST LIKELY TO AFFECT YOU
- Not getting enough sleep
- Not having a network of support
- Experiencing a major life change such as moving, the death of a loved one, starting a new job, having a child or getting married
- Experiencing poor physical health
- Not eating well
EASY WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS
Accept your needs
Recognize what your triggers are. What situations make you feel physically and mentally agitated? Once you know this, you can avoid them when it's reasonable to, and to cope when you can't.
Manage your time
Prioritizing your activities can help you use your time well. Making a day-to-day schedule helps ensure you don't feel overwhelmed by everyday tasks and deadlines.
Practice relaxation
Deep breathing, meditation, listening to music, and progressive muscle relaxation are good ways to calm yourself. Taking a break to refocus can have benefits beyond the immediate moment.
Exercise daily
Schedule time to walk outside, bike or join a dance class. Whatever you do, make sure it's fun. Daily exercise naturally produces stress-relieving hormones in your body and improves your overall physical health.
Set aside time for yourself
Schedule something that makes you feel good. It might be reading a book, go to the movies, get a massage or take your dog for a walk.
Eat well
Eating unprocessed foods, like whole grains, vegetables, and fresh fruit is the foundation for a healthy body and mind. Eating well can also help stabilize your mood.
Get enough sleep
Symptoms of some mental health conditions can be triggered by getting too little sleep.
Avoid alcohol and drugs
They don't actually reduce stress: in fact, they often worsen it. If you're struggling with substance abuse, contact LifeWays for support 1 (800) 284-8288.
Talk to someone
Whether to friends, family, a support group, or therapist airing out and talking can help. Consider contact LifeWays for information on support groups, therapy, and other helpful community resources 1 (800) 284-8288.