How I Manage Stress

Being alive in the world of today, I bet the one thing we can all agree on is that we are always stressed! I know for me at least, there is never a day that goes by that I am not thinking about the thousands of things that are on my plate, and I am left with the question of whether or not I am going to finish everything on time.

The basic definition of stress, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is “a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation.” For me, though, stress is more than that. Whenever I get stressed, I feel as if I cannot handle everything that is going on around me, and I feel like I am going to crumble under all the pressure.

Even though getting stressed is a natural part of life, and growing up (sorry to break it to you all!) There are so many ways to overcome it. Being stressed out should not be something that pulls you down, but instead, it should be a way to improve and become a better person overall! 

The number one way that I manage my stress is to take a break. When I have so many things on my mind, I get frazzled and overwhelmed, and cannot complete anything. So instead of sitting there trying to finish a million tasks at once, I like to go outside and just be around nature. If you cannot go outside, that is okay too! Instead, maybe open a window and try to let your body decompress. By doing this, you can relax your mind and body and center yourself. By being able to center yourself, you will be able to center your thoughts as well, which can allow you to plan your tasks out and finish everything more efficiently!

Another way I love to manage my stress is to doodle or draw. For all the artists out there, this one's for you! Drawing is scientifically proven to help your brain relax and 

to allow one to have time for self-care. There are numerous forms of self-care, and whichever one you resonate with the most will help you manage your stress! This one is my personal favorite, because I love to draw, so if I am ever feeling stressed, I love to draw in my free time, as it relaxes me, and I feel a lot calmer afterwards. 

The last way to manage stress, which is one that I need to improve on the most, is to manage your time! Managing your time is so important, especially when you have a lot you need to finish, and it is important to pace yourself accordingly with everything you need to do. For me, the best way to manage time is by having a planner, either online or a physical one, and writing everything down. I love to plan my day, from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep. I also find that having a “bedtime” helps a lot, as it helps to set a routine, and routines are also essential to managing stress. 

While these are just some of the tactics that I use on a daily basis to manage my stress, everyone is different! What works for me may not work for everyone, and that is okay! Stress management is different for each individual, and that is what makes us all unique. I hope by reading this, you were able to learn some valuable information about managing stress, and can incorporate your favorite techniques into your lives! Remember that whatever is happening right now is temporary, and if things are not going your way right now, better times are coming soon!