I wish I had a solution to all of these problems (sorry Kyle, but babies gonna cry) but we can all benefit from learning to deal with stresses as they come. So today’s tips are about healthy ways to move past stress:
- Take a Deep Breath: Feeling overwhelmed? Simply inhale for five seconds, hold, and exhale for five seconds. Do this for 90 seconds and you will walk away with a clearer and calmer mind.
- Cool Down: When you feel angry you physically feel your body heating up which will cause you to react and likely over react. Try using the “Cooling Breath” technique. Breathe in through your mouth as if your sipping through a straw then breath out normal through your nose. This process gives you time to think about your response while lowering the heat you feel building.
- Talk it Out: Sometimes just talking through the stresses of your day with a friend or a spouse can help you process and unload the day. Most of the time explaining the situation out loud will help you see ways to deal with it better next time.
- Unplug: It’s very important that you take time away from stress. Set a time to “turn off” work mode, caretaker mode, or whatever mode is the source of your stress and enjoy something for you. Go for a walk, watch a movie, have a quite (cell phone free) meal. You will be a better parent, spouse, and employee when you switch back on, so it’s a win for everyone.
Remember, deal with it calmly, learn from it, then move on. Don’t dwell on it!
Written by: Wenona Mertens
