How are You Managing Stress?

Let’s be real; life can be a lot sometimes!

Between work deadlines, family commitments, personal responsibilities, and just trying to keep up, it’s easy for stress to creep in. Trust me, I’ve been feeling it too, but the good news is, we don’t have to let it take over!

It's Stress Awareness Month and I thought it would be the perfect time to talk to you about some common stressors—like work, finances, relationships, and everyday responsibilities—and share some practical ways to manage.

But first, we must ask ourselves, "What does stress look like?"

Well, I'm sure it's not surprise, but stress can show up many ways.  You may not even realize it’s building up until you're already feeling burned out. Here are a few ways stress might be showing up in your body:

• Physical Signs: Stress may cause tension in your neck, shoulders, or even headaches. These are all signs that your body is holding onto stress. You could also feel tired, drained, or have trouble sleeping.

  
  

• Emotional Signs: Stress can make you feel anxious, moody, or a little more irritable than usual. Sometimes, you may also notice you feel overwhelmed or not like yourself emotionally.

  
  

• Behavioral Signs: Some people avoid others or procrastinate when they’re feeling stressed. Ironically, stress can impact the way we behave, whether it’s withdrawing or becoming restlessness.

  
  

• Cognitive Signs: Have you ever been so overwhelmed that you have a hard time concentrating? Well, that could be stress related as well. If you’re mind is constantly racing, it might be a symptom of stress. 

Practical Ways to Manage Stress:

There are many tools to help you manage symptoms before they go too far. Here are a few strategies that have helped me and some of my clients, and I hope they’ll work for you too:

1. Take a Deep Breath This might sound simple, but did you know that deep breathing can calm your nervous system in just a few minutes? When you’re feeling overwhelmed, pause, and take deep breaths.

   
   

2. Get Moving Get in the habit of incorporating movement into your day. A short walk, light stretching, or even dancing around your living room can release tension from your body and boost your mood.

   
   

3. Set Boundaries Give yourself permission to say, “no” sometimes. Setting boundaries to protect your time is crucial to managing stress, especially when everything feels like a priority. Remember: You can’t pour from an empty cup.

   
   

4. Talk to Someone Don’t try to carry the load by yourself! Talk to someone! Whether it’s a friend, family member, or therapist, having someone listen can help you feel heard and supported.

   
   

5. SLEEP! Sleep is truly our best friend when it comes to managing stress. Quality rest helps our bodies recover and be better equipped to handle whatever the next day throws at us.

We all have moments when life feels overwhelming, and that’s okay! But it’s important for us to take control of stress, rather than let it control us. This month, I encourage you to check in with yourself. What’s weighing on you right now? And what’s one small thing you can do today to ease that burden?

Remember, you are capable of overcoming whatever comes your way. And as always, if no one’s told you, I’m so proud of you for prioritizing your well-being and managing your stress!

With love,

Shekinah

The Purposed Therapist