Stress affects all of us at one time or another, and it's important to make sure you have the tools you need to take care of yourself. Managing stress and learning coping mechanisms can help both now and in the future. Whether you require relief from stress related to your job, family issues, the holidays, or other facets of life, here are some tips to help you manage your stress.
1. Limit your time on social media
While social media is a great tool for those who want to keep in touch with friends and family, it can also be detrimental to your mood or mental health to frequently scroll through stressful news stories, opinions on politics, etc. If possible, use social media primarily for keeping in touch with people you know, and limit your time with news feeds that might trigger anxiety or other difficult feelings. You can check in once or twice a day to get up to speed as an alternative to reaching for your smartphone over and over again throughout the day.
2. Get better rest
When stress takes over, it can often affect how well a person sleeps, which leads to more physical and mental health issues. Getting a better quality of rest can help you feel good physically and keep stress at bay. Think about ways to change your sleep environment, such as soft bedding, dark curtains, and calming colors.1 Also consider how you might prepare yourself for rest, such as refraining from phone use before bed or taking a relaxing bath or shower.
3. Exercise
One of the best ways to alleviate stress is to exercise regularly. While this obviously has many benefits for your health, stress relief is an added bonus.
As the Anxiety and Depression Association of America says, "When stress affects the brain, with its many nerve connections, the rest of the body feels the impact as well. So it stands to reason that if your body feels better, so does your mind. Exercise and other physical activity produce endorphins—chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers—and also improve the ability to sleep, which in turn reduces stress. And conventional wisdom holds that a workout of low to moderate intensity makes you feel energized and healthy."2
4. Don’t overdo it
Committing to too many things at once can leave you feeling tired and overwhelmed. Cut out the stress before it starts by keeping your schedule light and flexible. It can be difficult to say “no”, but if you’re being asked to give up your time and energy by many different people, it’s important to know your limits and set boundaries. Do only what you can realistically handle in a given timeframe. Prioritization is key. Prioritize commitments that will benefit you the most and either politely refuse or reschedule others.
5. Create a budget
Many people have found that the pandemic came with an influx of financial issues, from overdue bills to cutbacks on workable hours. If you’re feeling money strain, creating a budget can help. Talk to your spouse or partner about ways you can save money throughout the month, such as cutting back on the grocery bill, carpooling to save on gas, or cutting nonessential purchases. Work out a budget you can live with. Be realistic when it comes to how much you’ll be able to cut down.3
6. Seek financial help
If your stress is related to financial issues, remember that you can always reach out and ask about payment systems, deferrals, and other options that can keep your bills and debts from growing out of control. You can also look into ways to consolidate high interest debt, such as a home equity credit line. If you need to talk with a financial professional, please feel free to call us at Nevada State Bank.
7. Get involved
Many people feel stress due to a sense of powerlessness. Political and cultural issues have become very prominent all over the country, making this a great time to get involved with a cause you believe in. You can volunteer to help people in your community, donate to a charity, or work with others to support a cause you believe in. These are great ways to feel more involved and can reduce the stress associated with related issues.
8. Talk to someone
Stress can easily become overwhelming if you are unable to talk to someone about how you’re feeling. Keep communication open with your friends and loved ones, or consider looking for a counselor, family doctor, or therapist who can help you deal with your feelings. Have a talk with your spiritual advisor.
Handling stress can be tricky. However, there are some simple ways you can learn to cope with those feelings, even when they start to become overwhelming. Think about the best ways to reduce sources of stress and keep communication open with your loved ones as you cope with today’s challenges.
1. https://www.sleep.org/best-colors-for-sleep/
3. Click here for a calculator that can help you create a household budget.