Ahhh!!! I am so stressed out!!!! How many times a day or a week do we have this thought? I know for me for a long time, this thought came across my mind on the daily. Especially during my masters program, I felt like sometimes I was drowning in my own stress and all the work I had to get done. Managing stress was definitely something that took practice and commitment.
Then once I graduated, I felt really stressed about starting a new business, or during a crazy season of life, or even just working sometimes can really be stressful. But the truth is, there’s always going to be something.
It’s not about the situation or the event, but rather how we react to it that truly causes us stress. We can choose to allow ourselves to be engulfed in all the things we have to get done, or we can choose to deal with those stressful moments wisely. Managing stress can be something that takes practice, but it’s so crucial that we find what works for us so that we can truly live a happy and healthy life without getting overwhelmed by stress.
On this weeks podcast, I go in to all the different ways of managing stress and dealing with anxiety.
So, what are some helpful ways of managing stress that I’ve come across?
Find the Root.
The real one. Typically, the surface level thing we say is causing us stress isn’t the real reason. For me, I often have to put my pride aside and realise I’m a control freak, type 1 enneagram and need to release the need for control and give it to God. And that’s incredibly hard for me to actually do. But every time I catch myself wanting to control the situation, I try to remind myself that God can do so much more when I’m simply sitting still and faithin’ it until I make it… then I could ever do even in my most efficient, focused state. Let go and let God.
Morning Time
If you’ve been following me for a while now, you know I’m all about those morning and nighttime routines. But it’s truly so important to have a good, realistic routine that allows you to feel refreshed and ready for your day. How we start our mornings has such a strong impact on the rest of the day. Find a good morning routine that allows you to feel excited for your day. It doesn’t have to be a crazy routine, maybe just 5-30 minutes every mornings to truly feel your best self.
To find more ideas on morning routine, check out this post!
Diffusing and Oils
Oils have been such an incredible blessing in my life. Diffusing oils has been an amazing way for me to ground myself in the mornings, continue to remain at peace during the day, and find calmness and tranquility again at night to sleep better. There are so many different oils out there that help with a lot of different things. Some of my favourite oils to find stillness and release stress are ‘stress away’ and ‘peace and calming.’ I just fill up my diffuser with water, add a few drops, turn that baby on and immediately start feeling more relaxed and helps me have clearer thinking.
To find out way more about oils and what they can do for you, click here!
Deep Breathing
Breathing has seriously been one of the biggest life savers when it comes to regaining peace and relaxing. Letting stress go and returning to the breath is incredibly powerful. Deep breathing and conscious breath allow us to be more in tune with our bodies and return to the present moment. Being in the present moment allows us to release all of those monkey brain thoughts that can often circulate in our heads and feel so heavy sometimes.
Seriously, try it with me right now. Stop reading this blog post for a second, close your eyes, and take 3 really deep breaths.
Notice how you feel. Don’t rush.
Click here for more breathing exercises to do for managing stress!
Prayer
Talk to God. Voice how you’re really feeling. Talk to God like you would a friend or your mom. Yell, cry, talk, be real. No need for glamorous and high level vocabulary words. God knows you better than you know yourself, and has your highest plan ready for you. Not only does prayer help reconnect and get more in touch with our higher power, but also allows us to really feel what we’re going through and get clearer on what we want. When it comes to managing stress and dealing with anxiety, talking to God is the way to go.
A good quote I heard once too, prayer is talking to God, meditation is listening to God. Combine prayer with meditation and breath for maximum effectiveness in managing stress.
Walk it Out or Work it Out
When something is really bugging you or there’s a situation you can’t get your mind off of, take a walk to distract yourself and clear your mind. You’d be surprised how effective it can be to simply take a quite walk through nature or anywhere outside. Revisit the situation with a clearer mind and much less anxiety and stress about the situation. If you can’t take a walk in the moment, than take a deep breath and work it out. Realize that the situation or problem is temporary, and you have the power to work it out. Face it until you make it.
Write it Out
I am a huge proponent of journaling. I think there’s so much power to writing things down and getting really clear on exactly how you feel about the situation or event that’s causing you strong emotions. Journaling is such a strong release and allows us to be so real and authentic with ourselves. When it comes to managing stress, this is an immediate one that I do. Writing it out for me allows me to take a step back from the problem or event, and realize the big picture of things.
The Big Picture
When you don’t let one event be so overwhelming that it’s the only thing you can focus on, then you can really look at the situation for what it is. Ask yourself if this entire thing is really going to matter in one year. If so, ask God for direction. If not, don’t let it overwhelm you. You have the power over how much you let something effect you- really. If you know this won’t really be that big of a deal in one year, then don’t let it take an emotional toll on you. You deserve to be at peace and approach situations with a clear mind. See the big picture of things and don’t get bogged down in what is a temporarily “bad” situation.
Remember, it’s not about faking it until you make it. Make it to that point, wherever you’re trying to go or whatever is causing you stress or anxiety, make it work out, make it happen or not happen. It’s about faithin’ it until you make it, even if you’re not actively managing stress or you are.
One thing God is putting in my heart and working in my heart even know: making me truly believe that when I’m sitting still in faith with him, he can do incredibly more than I could ever do on my own. Even in my best, strongest, most focused disciplined state. And that’s incredibly hard to truly live out the belief, as #1 independent gal that wants to take control and make it all happen on her own. Sometimes I feel Jesus is probably just looking down, smiling while shaking his head…. saying “if only she knew what we could accomplish together and the life she could be living instead of faking it was all good….. if she just faith-ed it while walking in my presence.”
So really, let go and let God.
What are you going to do next time you are managing stress and dealing with any anxiety?
PS:
Want to learn more on how to create a truly healthy, non-toxic lifestyle — mind, body and soul? CLICK HERE!
