Tools And Techniques for Managing Stress

Stress is the number one fun killer, health killer, and all-around buzz killer of life.

Finding ways to manage stress is crucial – not only our personal world, but in the crazy chaotic society we live in today.

The world we live in today is extremely fast-paced. We are connected instantaneously to the entire world just with our fingertips (#doomscrolling anyone?!). We are not meant to process the pain and chaos of the entire planet all on one little robot box we carry with us.

The collective suffering and pain of the world, on top of our own issues, has become an overload on our poor nervous systems. We are not built to withstand that much stress!

Maintaining Internal Balance

I find for myself what works best in managing stress is really quite simple—this starts with ensuring our bodies, including our nervous systems and brains, are clean, healthy, and calm.

If we are not in a state of homeostasis, there is no way we can survive joyfully, or at all, in the overloaded chaos of the digital age. This is especially true if we ourselves (and this most likely includes everyone in one way or another) have unresolved trauma our nervous systems carry.

Hydration and Nutrition

Plenty of clean hydration and nutrition is non-negotiable to stay in homeostasis. How can you fill your vessel with poison and then expect it to carry you day in and day out? No way!

Disconnecting from the Internet

Disconnecting from the internet can be very tricky and much easier said than done. Realistically, disconnecting can mean deleting socials for a week or so. Simply deleting the app off your screen can be enough when feeling overwhelmed.

Of course, if you are running an online business or anything where you must be online, this can be tougher—but not impossible. Disconnecting can mean taking a week to simply be with yourself and decompressing.

Knowing Your Tools

I believe deep down we all know the tools we need to implement to de-stress, yet the mind is a funny trickster that will usually chime in with unhealthy coping mechanisms for stress management rather than what we actually need. But don’t beat yourself up for falling into this trap—berating ourselves for messing up is only causing more stress.

Surround yourself with people who match your energy and values—you can feel it. Stop trying to force yourself to fit in with humans who don’t want the same things you do. Notice how you feel after being around certain people. If you leave feeling refreshed and relaxed, that’s amazing! If you leave feeling depleted, exhausted, and confused in one way or another, as hard as it may be, the best thing to do is again, disconnect.

We have to advocate for ourselves and our health, and sometimes this means letting others down. It is okay to do what is best for YOU!

Focus on the Present

Taking each day as it comes and not fretting over things we cannot control is also a wise tool. This allows us to take on only what the day brings and nothing else, ensuring we don’t overload our systems. If you haven’t read The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, do so, now (hehe).

Implement Healthy Daily Habits

Implementing healthy daily habits is crucial in stress management. Sometimes extreme (yang) exercise is not the answer, especially for someone in a heightened state of stress. This will only activate the stress response harder and throw you into oxidative stress, causing harm to the body-mind system.

Slowing down, taking gentle walks in nature, yin yoga, or stretching are beautiful ways to calm yourself.

 

Routine and Ritual

I find routine and ritual to be my biggest support in managing stress. For someone like me, who lived in flight or fight for 90% of my life, a healthy routine is everything! And making sure I show up for this routine means showing up for myself and my peace. This ultimately means showing up for my long-term health.

Women especially these days are showing up with more and more unexplained autoimmune disorders, mental health struggles, and absolute burnout. This is NOT normal! And you can heal.

Tracking your cycle and keeping up with your hormones can be super beneficial—this can be done with a naturopath preferably (although I realise they are not accessible financially for everyone), or there are some awesome apps you can use to track your cycles and start to get an idea of where your hormones are at.

Know Your Limits

When you feel at your limit of what you can offer or give, it’s okay to stop there. We must be aware of overextending ourselves! This will leave us depleted physically and resentful mentally.

As I say in many of my writings, I think every single person in the world should have a therapist or at the very least a safe, trustworthy, and supportive person to talk to. We need genuine connection as humans, and it’s so important to be able to express ourselves openly.

Cut Destructive Vices

Sorry, not sorry! If something is detrimental to you, you have two choices: love yourself enough to push through the inevitably icky process of quitting or remain stuck in stress, anxiety, and eventually failing physical health.

Stress really is the silent killer, and today we have so much knowledge out there to support us on how to reduce this. We also have free will, so we must be willing to want to do better for ourselves, willing to truthfully look at our lives and what needs to change, and DO IT!

No one is coming to save us aside from ourselves, so the time is now. You have got this! I have been there many times on all levels and am always here to assist in energy or breath practices that can weave in well with your own self-work. We all deserve to be free and feel our best. You have got this. We have got this!

We are all just walking each other home.