6 Tips To Help Reduce Stress When Life Becomes Overpowering

Stress is a normal part of life. From the stress we experience when running late for work, to having a never ending to-do list, we all experience stress on a weekly basis. Listed below are 6 tips I recommend to help reduce stress when life becomes overpowering.

I’m not sure about you, but this past summer has been nothing short of chaos. From purchasing our new home, moving across country, planning our wedding reception, working full-time, and trying to have a social life, there seems to never be enough hours in the day. So I decided it was time to share 6 tips I recommend to help reduce stress when life becomes overpowering. And trust me, these tips can be a true lifesaver!

Breath Work

One of the best things you can do to immediately reduce stress is to take a few deep breaths. This will not only slow down your heart rate, it will also help calm your mind.

I tend to practice box breathing – slowly inhale through your nose for four seconds, hold your breath for four seconds, slowly exhale through your mouth for four seconds, then hold your breath for another four seconds; repeat 3-4 times. That’s all there is to it! And the best part, you can do breath work anywhere, at any time.

Get Outside

I truly believe nature is our greatest medicine. I highly encourage you to spend time outdoors away from your phone, listening to the birds chirping, the wind blowing, or the bustling community around you. Whether it’s going for a morning walk or enjoying your lunch outdoors, try to spend at least 15 minutes outside each day to reground yourself.

Get Your Body Moving

What better way to reduce stress than by moving your body?! It doesn’t have to be a two-hour long workout, it can be a quick 15-minute workout to increase endorphins, the feel-good neurotransmitters, which can help reduce stress and increase mental well-being.

Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep is an essential factor of overall health, especially when it comes to managing stress levels. However, it’s not always the easiest getting enough sleep when you’re stressed. If you’re having troubles falling and staying asleep, creating a nighttime routine can be a game changer. An hour or two before going to bed, put your electronics away, enjoy a sweet dreams mocktail, and unwind with classical music or a favorite movie. When it comes time to getting into bed, be sure your bedroom is dark and cool.

Consume Balanced Meals

There is honestly nothing worse than getting stressed and overconsuming calories, sweets, and fried foods that lead to a stomach ache. When focusing on consuming balanced meals, this not only can help you feel good, but also help to provide enough energy to power through your to-do list.

Social Media Cleanse

I cannot emphasize this enough, if you are ever feeling overwhelmed with stress, take note – are you spending too much time on social media? If so, put yourself on a limit for how often you spend time on all social media platforms. Remember, social media isn’t real life, it’s only highlights of the best parts of life. Do yourself a favor and unfollow anyone who may be causing unnecessary stress in your life.

Don’t forget that mental health is just as important as physical health. Take time this week to focus on what you can do within your lifestyle to help reduce stress when life becomes overpowering.