Below are eight simple tips to get ahead of stress before it overwhelms you:
Plan your day the night before
Before bed close your eyes and visualize what you want your next day to be. Then write out a complete list of all the things you want to accomplish. The next day, wake up open to any new ideas that you need to do that day. Doing this one exercise eliminates the feeling of, ‘Oh my goodness, I forgot that I need to do this today.’ Instead, it just allows you to refresh you list if necessary.
Try the 3-3-5 breathing exercise
This may help you to relax your body. You simply breathe in through your nose for three counts, hold it in for three counts, and then release it through the mouth for five counts. It’s simple, highly effective, and can be done anywhere at any time.
Close your eyes and do a body scan
Close your eyes and notice your bodily sensations, especially how your stomach and neck feel. By scanning your body, you can take a moment to acknowledge where you are holding tension, and try to release that tension and take a break when needed.
Focus on the solution, not the problem
One great way that you may get ahead of my stress is to focus on the solution instead of the problem. When you start focusing on the problem, you get flooded with toxic hormones and chemical reactions. When you focus on the solution, it helps you stay present and look toward the future with hope. The small shift can make a huge difference.
Carve out breaks in your schedule
When you know you have a very busy, stressful day ahead, make sure that you leave gaps of time in your scheduled so you can have a little quiet downtime. Make some mint tea, sit quietly and breathe.
Take a moment to go outside
Head to nature or beach before you get too stressed out. Spend at least wo hours enjoying these different environments.
Ask yourself how you’d advise a friend
Ask yourself, ‘If I were going to troubleshoot this problem for a friend, what would I suggest?’ This question may help you reframe. Sometimes simply having a list of a few options helps you become more proactive instead of reactive. It may give a sense of control when things seem to be sliding sideways.
Make time for self-care
Maintaining a clear and positive mindset allows for those stressful moments to become more manageable. Suggestions can include meditating, exercise, walking the dog and reading. All of these rituals may help to keep you balanced and give you space to be able to cope better when more complex emotions are challenged.