How to cope with your stress
The next time you're feeling scrambled, try one of these ten microbreaks that take five minutes or less. For such a small action, they have a profound impact: studies show they help you to improve your energy and well-being.
1. Take a few deep breaths. Breathing activates your parasympathetic nervous system, which can minimize your stress response.
2. Be kind to yourself. Put your hand on your heart and say, “You’re doing a great job, [NAME]. This is hard right now, and you’re being really brave.”
3. Catch yourself rushing — and slow down. Rushing is so counterproductive: it ends up creating lower quality results and increases your stress at the same time. Move 10% more slowly.
4. Stand up and walk around (if you are able) or stretch your body however you can. A few minutes of movement can help you to release the stress on your body.
5. Set a timer for five minutes, and look away from the phone or a computer until it goes off. Pay attention to the room you’re in, the people around you, and any nature you can see.
6. Talk to someone for a few minutes. Call a friend or loved one and tell that them you only have five minutes, but you wanted to say a quick hi.
7. Sometimes, stress can manifest as boredom and a struggle to pay attention. Set yourself a new goal or challenge to spark a burst of energy.
8. Express gratitude. Take five minutes to send a quick text or email to someone who has helped you recently.
9. Put on a song that makes you happy and dance or sing along.
10. If you are feeling really overwhelmed, write down all of your thoughts on apiece of paper or document, under these three headers:
“Things I Can’t Control”
“Things I Can Influence”
“Things I Can Control”
From there, choose one thing from either the Influence or Control lists and take an action towards addressing it.
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