Stress Coping Skills
Stress has a tight grip on our fast-paced, pressure-filled culture.
The risk of burnout is high and the feeling that you are not doing enough or producing results quick enough, is all too common. If you struggle with sleep, your muscles are tight, and you don’t feel energized or focused, you are not alone! Stress disrupts our bodies’ normal functioning and leaves us feeling overwhelmed and tired. Similar to anxiety, stress impacts not only our thoughts and emotions, but produces physical symptoms. Stress can carry itself differently in different bodies, so it's up to you to know your body and recognize your stress symptomology.
Your body may react to stress with symptoms such as: increased heart rate, headache, digestive issues, or muscle tension. You may also have trouble sleeping and concentrating. Take some time to identify how stress impacts your mind and body. You can do this by simply checking-in with yourself next time you feel stressed. Think about where you are holding onto stress and how it may be affecting your life.
As you probably know, chronic (long-term) stress puts your health at risk, so it is vital to learn healthy coping strategies to recognize it and manage it. Some of the best ways to manage stress involve going back to the basics: sleep, nutrition, exercise. Examine your current lifestyle and where you may need to adjust to lower stress levels.
Are you getting enough sleep (7-9 hours)?
Are you eating healthy whole foods?
Are you getting your daily intake of vitamins and minerals?
Are you drinking enough water?
Do you have space in your day for exercise, even just a quick walk?
I know we have all heard this many times before: sometimes in a season of high stress, the basics of self-care go out the window. Once you look at the big three: sleep, nutrition, and exercise, you can sprinkle in other forms of self-care that can help you cope with stress!
Other stress-relievers include:
reducing screen time
spending quality time with friends and family
journaling
spending time outside
practicing gratitude
spending time on your favorite hobby/activity!
Self-care is not all about bath bombs and skincare and baking cookies (although those things have their place).
Self-care is about addressing your needs and desires and making time for those needs and desires to be met. Taking care of yourself is the only way to manage your stress long-term. You are worth the investment!
Written by our Cor Sacrum Clinician, Amy Walsh, LPC-Associate, supervised by Sonia Mijares, LPC-S.
Learn more about Amy here!
Do you find yourself bogged down by stress? Let Amy help you heal and find your way forward. Schedule your session today!
