From academic to work deadlines, to shifting school and sports schedules, spring can bring a season of stress. With change, stress can be found peeking its head around the corner, reminding you of what is next. Or what could, would, or should be next. That is the nature of stress: a dynamic force that reacts to external triggers, with the potential to fuel positive or more challenging outcomes. Stress can create urgency to complete a task, in that case positively helping to complete our goals. In contrast, stress can negatively affect our well-being by interrupting sleep, raising blood pressure, and increasing cortisol levels. Understanding stress’s dual nature empowers us to choose a course of action.
- Take a Minute
- The first step in addressing your stress is to ask yourself where is this coming from? What is this type of stress trying to tell me? Is this something I can accomplish now to alleviate discomfort, or is there more to it? Once you discover the why, it can help you gain a greater understanding of what you are feeling and, therefore, a clearer vision of what your body needs.
- Make a Plan
- What are three things you can do right now to help your stress? Write down three action steps you are going to take to get moving. Maybe you have a long to-do list or are in an overwhelming transition, either way, condense it into 3 steps to make it more manageable. As a Counselor, I know stress can linger, meaning it’s important to help my clients learn to create a plan to keep them on track. It can be something small, for instance take a couple deep breaths, get a coffee, and open the computer. Or something more significant like turning in final reports, going for a run, and then finishing laundry. Adding action items with a self-care motive is important to regulate your nervous system while chipping away at the bigger stressor. This way, you can accomplish something on your list and build mental resilience.
- Lean into Self Care
- When things feel messy on the outside, it can be easy to neglect our inner sense of self. It is convenient to fix “what people can see” for things to “look good,” yet that doesn’t fix how it makes us feel. This means taking time to check in with ourselves on an emotional and mental well-being level is crucial even in the midst of chaos. This can look like getting yourself a treat on the way home, playing pickleball for an hour with a friend, or cozying up on the couch to watch Netflix. Taking time to recharge on the inside will allow you to show up for not only others but yourself.
While stress may be an inevitable part of life, it doesn’t have to take charge. Learn how to confront it head-on, and take these steps: pause, strategize, and prioritize self-care to effectively manage its impact on our well-being. As a Counselor, I help my clients make these steps applicable to their everyday lives to cultivate resilience and gain confidence from navigating life’s challenges. Next time your stress comes flooding in, remember you do know what to do, embrace the journey, and turn towards these tools to create a sense of calm.