10 Ways to Manage Everyday Stress

 10 Ways to Manage Everyday Stress

Life can occasionally be stressful. Additionally, stress can be brought on by a wide range of factors. Life’s everyday hassles, demands, and pressures can cause stress too.

 

When you’re stressed, your body responds by making hormones that provide extra energy, focus, and strength.  This is called the fight-or-flight response.

 At times, a small surge of stress can be a positive thing.  It can help you do well under pressure, be on time, or meet a deadline.  It can alert you to a problem you need to handle.  

It can motivate you toward your goals.  It can push you to study, plan, and prepare.

 

But too much stress — or stress you can’t manage — keeps you from doing and feeling your best.  It can wear you out, sap your motivation, and make it harder to complete tasks. Too much stress can lead you to feel cranky, annoyed, or scattered.

 

You can’t avoid stress.  But you can make it a goal to keep everyday stress at low levels.  When you stress less over everyday stuff, you’re better able to handle bigger challenges you might face.

 If you want to get better at managing everyday stress, here are ten things that can help you:

 

1.  Balance work and play.  Schedule time to work on your goals and tasks (such as schoolwork, household chores, or practice). But be sure to make time for things you enjoy, too (like playing music, working out, playing with a pet, or spending time with friends).  Even if it's just for a few minutes a day, taking time to unwind and refuel reduces stress. 

2.  Organize your day. Use a calendar or planning app to keep track of your daily schedule.  Fill in your class times, tests, and when assignments are due.  Include your pursuits. Schedule time to study for tests and complete homework. Block in times to do things you enjoy.  Stress is reduced when there is a plan and a daily routine. 

R.  Naturally, planning is useless if nothing happens as planned. Make it a routine to look at your planner every day.  Check off what you’ve done.  Get ready for what’s coming up.  Make a routine time to study.  Keep on top of assignments.  This lowers daily schoolwork stress.

 

4.  Ask for help when you need it.  Schoolwork, grades, and tests are a big source of stress for many people.  It's not always easy to stay on top of everything. Ask a teacher, parent, tutor, or mentor to coach you if you need assistance getting things done, planning projects, or preparing for tests. If you tend to procrastinate, pair up with a classmate to study or do homework at a set time.

 5.  Use the positive energy of stress.  Don’t put things off until the last minute.  That is a lot of stress. Additionally, being in a hurry makes it difficult to perform at your best. Instead, let stress motivate you to get moving on a task.  If you have a deadline, give yourself a positive mental push.  Think, "OK, I’ve got this — I'm on it."  Then go ahead and get started.

 

6.  Deal with problems as they come up.  Problems that arise on a daily basis shouldn't be ignored, but neither should they cause anxiety. Instead, figure out how to handle them.  If you’re not sure what to do, ask for help and advice from others.

 7.  Eat good foods.  What you eat affects your mood, energy, and stress level.  Choose foods that are good for you.  You don’t have to avoid all treats.  But if sweets are your main source of fuel, you're likely to crash or feel cranky — and stressed!

 

8.  Get enough sleep.  After a long day of school and activities, you might feel like staying up late.  Maybe you’ve still got homework to finish.  Or you want time to talk to friends or binge-watch that show you like.  But going to bed late doesn’t leave enough time for sleep when you need to get up early for school.  Without enough sleep, you’re more likely to feel stressed over the day’s ups and downs.

 

To avoid a stressful morning rush, stick to a set bedtime and wake time.  Turn off screens well before bedtime.  Wind down with quiet activities.

 9.  Exercise every day.  Stress melts away when you’re working out, playing a sport, or dancing to your favorite music.  Exercise does more than keep you fit.  It’s a way to manage stress, lower anxiety and depression, and make your mood more positive.

 

10.  Breathe deeply.  When you feel stressed or overwhelmed, take some deep, slow belly breaths.  Belly breathing is quick and sure way to turn off your body’s fight-or-flight (stress) response.  Practice belly breathing or mindful breathing every day to help you lower everyday stress.