Stress is an inescapable burden that affects us all. It is impossible to escape stress, but it is possible to manage it and to recover from it. There is no disputing that the corona virus pandemic left the world in an uproar. We are all still recovering from it. With that that said, instead of seeing a decline in stress levels, we’re seeing that stress levels have exceedingly escalated. More people are “stressed out,” than ever before and looking for ways to protect and maintain their our physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines stress as, “any type of change that causes physical, emotional, or psychological strain. Stress is your body's response to anything that requires attention or action. Everyone experiences stress to some degree. The way you respond to stress, however, make a big difference to your overall well-being.”
Types of Stress
Stress comes in different forms. Check out the 3 types of stress below:
Chronic Stress: a long period of feeling constantly overwhelmed
Acute Stress: a response to recent exposure to severe trauma.
Episodic Stress: regular our routine experiences of acute stress
5 Tips for Managing Stress
1. Sleep – A good night’s sleep decreases cortisol levels, restores balance to the body, and helps you to prepare the next day. You are less effective at combating stress with inadequate sleep so try to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night.
2. Exercise – Engaging in physical activity is a great way to relieve stress. The key is to stay in motion, with a sustained increased heartrate. Exercise raises your endorphin levels, which in turn improves your mood and relieves your stress! A simple walk can help to achieve this. Give it try and see for yourself!
3. Break Time – Life is perpetually busy, but it is important to take time for ourselves to recover from stress. This can be achieved by taking mini breaks throughout the day to help ground yourself and to recharge your energy levels.
4. Boundaries – An effective strategy for managing stress is to establish and enforce boundaries. Having healthy boundaries in place help to protect you from added stress and burnout. Furthermore, boundaries make people understand your limits; what you are ok with and not ok with. But first you must identify and prioritize your most important things and practice saying no to new commitments that are not aligned with your priorities.
5. Professional Therapy – If you find that nothing is working, it may be time to speak with a Professional. Seeking professional help is an absolute must whenever you feel that your emotions are uncontrollable or unmanageable. A professional can teach you long-term skills and methods for managing your stress. It’s important to know that you do not have to suffer in silence, and you are not alone. There is help available to you.
We all experience stress differently, as we each have our own unique journey. The key takeaway here is that stress can be managed. As a final thought, know that you are your own best advocate. It is important to prioritize your wellbeing regardless of what is going on around you. Commit daily to caring for and loving yourself, no matter what. We here at The Let’s Talk Tribe are rooting for your continued success.
The Let’s Talk Tribe Team
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