Ideas To Help You Manage Your Stress

Posted by Anna Johnson on December 9th, 2022

If you're going to look and feel your best, then you need to manage your stress. This can be especially challenging in a world filled with constant activity. But it is essential if you're going to find balance and peace of mind. Consider the following ideas as you begin to build your own stress management portfolio.

Learn To Relax

First, learn how to relax. This might mean taking time out to lie back and listen to soothing music for a while. You could curl up with a favorite book or movie, too. To enhance your relaxation, you might try aromatherapy or use Young Living Essential Oils. Young Living's personal care products, essential oil singles and blends, infused supplements and natural home care items can make a big difference in your life. You could sample a few to find scents that relax you.

Think about the colors, textures and lighting around you as well. Put together a room specially designed for calm and relaxation. A cozy chair with a warm throw and pillow, soft lighting and quiet music might be just right. Set aside a little while each day to just relax and feel the stress slide away.

Try Techniques

Along with your relaxing interludes, you might also try a variety of stress management techniques. Do some research about guided breathing exercises, for instance, or biofeedback and various types of meditation. Learn how each of these works, and select one to try. If it works for you, then fit it into your routine, especially when the stress builds. Ideally, you should sample each technique and develop a variety of stress busters that you can use according to your moods and situations.

Work on Time Management

Another way to manage your stress is to manage your time. Start by purchasing a good planner app or paper planner and using it constantly for your appointments and to-do lists. You might even try a workflow or productivity app and a specialized timer that can help you make sure you're getting things done as efficiently as possible. When you work on your time management skills, though, remember that the whole idea is to reduce stress, not make more of it, so don't demand too much from yourself. Just try to stay more organized so that you can avoid stress-inducing scrambles.

Develop Hobbies

Even if you have to schedule it, also take the time to develop some hobbies. This, too, can help you manage your stress because it gives you downtime to do something you truly enjoy. Perhaps you already have a couple of hobbies in place. In that case, make an effort to work on them at least twice a week.

If you're a bit short on hobbies, now is the time to start one. Perhaps you've always wanted to paint or sew or garden. Maybe woodworking has appealed to you or you've wanted to learn a musical instrument. So give it a try by taking a class or some lessons. Again, stick to your new hobby. You might get a little frustrated at first, but it could end up being an activity that will help you fight the stress.

Have Fun With Friends

Don't neglect socialization either. Make time to have fun with your friends regularly. This might mean something as simple as a long chat, or it could mean an afternoon or evening on the town. Try to get together at least once a month for some activity. You'll find yourself laughing, reminiscing and letting your stress go.

Eat Right and Exercise

While it may seem a bit cliche, eating right and exercising really can help you manage your stress. If you choose healthy foods for most meals and snacks, you'll have more energy, and you'll be less likely to worry about gaining weight. So plan ahead for a week or at least a few days, and blend plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables and lean proteins into your diet.

Plan regular exercise sessions, too, even if you just start by taking a walk on your lunch break or after work. Then work up by adding more time and different activities. Exercise is a proven stress fighter, so make sure it's part of your routine.

Stress management doesn't have to be hard. In fact, you can even make it rather fun if you follow some of these ideas, and you'll feel a lot better in the long run.