In order to manage stress, you need to look at the whole picture. Look at this info graphic.
- Balanced nutrition is important. If you start eating a lot mor carbs and sugar, it is going to make your stress worse not better. Your body is not going to feel good and you are not going to have the nutritional components to heal yourself, keep your body working or provide energy to do what you need to do.
- Mindfulness Practice. Keep it simple. Take 10-20 minutes to be in the moment while you are feeding your kids, consuming a tasty meal, drinking your favorite tea or walking in the grass. Notice everything you see, hear, smell, feel on your skin and taste if applicable. Focus on those things not your internal dialogue.
- Physical Activity can help burn off anxious energy and stress. It also produces endorphins to help you feel better and can lower your heart rate and blood pressure. This includes walking, biking, Tai Chi, Yoga, Pilates, stretching or any regular rhythmic exercise.
- Quality sleep. If you are not getting a restful nights sleep than can increase your irritability, feeling like you are on edge, decrease your ability to learn and remember, and make it harder for you to function at work or at home.
- Instead of withdrawing from others, make sure you reach out to your support network. Tell someone you are not ok. Ask them for help in problem-solving. Ask for a fresher perspective on whatever is stressing you out. See if they have some other resources for you to utilize that you may not have considered.
- Mental Health Care. If you have a therapist already. Reach out. Tell them that you are struggling. Sometimes, clients worry about disappointing their therapist by saying they are struggling when that is vital information to adjust the treatment. If you do not have a therapist. Call the crisis line 866-273-8255 or reach out to your local crisis lines. You should also reach out to your insurance provider to find providers in network for your insurance plan to get into therapy.
