10 WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS
1. BASIC SELF-CARE
Basic self-care includes things like eating a balanced diet, sleeping enough, drinking enough, watching our alcohol intake, managing our money, exercising, and finding a routine that works for you.
2. BOUNDARIES
Healthy boundaries are part of laying a solid, stress-reducing foundation.
3. IDENTIFY WHERE STRESS IS COMING FROM
Prevention is often better than cure. Pinpointing the source(s) of our stress and work to limit the impact of them (where possible) can help to keep our stress levels down longer-term.
4. ACCEPTANCE
Sometimes, our stress relates to things that we have absolutely no control over. Realize your limits and accept your lack of control.
Acceptance is hard. It can sometimes feel painful. But it can also be incredibly freeing – as if a huge weight has been lifted.
5. BALANCING YOUR TIME
Balancing our time is something we’re always working on. It’s not something on a ‘to do’ list that we can cross off. It’s a constant process of reflecting and adjusting.
6. CONNECT WITH PEOPLE
Wherever we sit on the spectrum, some connection is important. Poor mental health often thrives in isolation.
7. USE TOUCH
Our sense of touch can both increase and decrease our stress levels. Hugs with someone we’re close to can reduce how stressed we feel. They can help us to feel supported and can cause oxytocin, a hormone, to be released which can act as a stress-reliever.
8. STEP OUTSIDE
Fresh air and nature can improve our mental health and decrease our stress levels. Being near water has been proven to be particularly helpful.
9. GET. IT. OUT.
There are times when stress feels as though it’s a bubble about to bust. Letting our stress out in a controlled way can allow us to gradually reduce the pressure we feel until calmness returns
10. HAVE FUN
Being silly, having fun, laughing, exploring, being curious, playing and ‘letting go’ can all be a vital part of maintaining our mental health.
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