We can all relate to feeling stressed at one time or another. Whether it is work deadlines, managing family schedules, dealing with a medical illness, or feeling like you don’t have enough time in the day, stress can become overwhelming very quickly.
Here are 3 easy techniques for reducing your stress.
Prioritize Your Day
It is easy to get overwhelmed with the large and small tasks your mind keeps reminding you of throughout the day. Creating a schedule can ease the overwhelming feelings, allowing you space to breathe and relax. Start your day by asking, “What would make me feel successful at the end of the day?” Block out time on your schedule for these priority tasks. At the end of the day you will feel much better having one or two priority tasks completed versus completing or half-completing several other items that were not as important.
Connect With Gratitude
When you are feeling rushed, irritable, or overwhelmed, stop for a moment and ask yourself “What am I grateful for right now?” This immediately shifts your perspective from the stress you are experiencing to thoughts and feelings that are positive and soothing, relaxing the body and the mind. With a calmer mind and body, you are in more control of how you choose to move forward into the next moment.
Find Something to Laugh About
Laughter shifts your focus away from what you are stressed about, giving your body and your mind a break, and reduces the stress hormones in your body. So, the next time you are stressed, find something to laugh about. It could be watching a YouTube video, thinking about a recent event that made you laugh, or finding the humor in the present moment and laughing at yourself. If you can find someone to laugh with, the social connection can also reduce your stress.
This is just the tip of the iceberg on how you can reduce your daily stress, so start here, or if this inspires you to try something else, do it. Making small changes throughout your day can have a large impact on your overall stress reduction.
Bradi Bergesen is a licensed independent clinical social worker using online therapy to connect with adults throughout the state of Washington to help them live at their fullest potential.
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