5 Easy Ways to Manage Stress and Build Resilience Every Day

Stress is part of the human experience, there is no avoiding it but there are choices we make on a daily basis that can influence the way we naturally handle stress in our lives.

At times in our life we may face major challenges, aside from these highly stressful situations it’s likely we will experience our fair share of stresses on a day to day basis. Over time these small stresses can build up, and without effective go to strategies to manage them, before too long they can cause disruption. They disturb to our peace of mind, our ability to make good decisions, our sleep, happiness, our relationships and ultimately our health can pay the price.

Small daily habits build resilience

The good news is there are some simple ways we can begin to combat the build up of daily stress. They come in the form of daily habits that you can weave into the fabric of everyday. I believe is the key, it has been in my own life. Tiny habits that over time build resilience to the way our body handles stress and in the short term bring more harmony and joy into every day life. An example that jumps to mind is that of a crisis meditator. This used to be me! Whenever a crisis came along, or life became unbearably stressful I would dive into my meditation practice, of course it helped but once the crisis was over  I would slowly let my regular daily practice slip. Life got busy and the cycle began again, another crisis and more meditation. However once I committed to a daily practice and stuck to it come what may, I noticed how things that once stressed me no longer did, at least not as much.

Build your own stress relieving toolkit with these easy habits. Try some of these ideas, if you like them add them to your toolbox and try and use some of them everyday. Think of it like training a muscle, the more you use it, the stronger it gets. So too with the tools below, with practice they can become a strong and effective antidote to stress.  

The Power of the Breath

One of the most powerful tools in your stress management toolkit is something you have with you 24/7: your breath. Try the 4-7-8 Breath, Inhale for 4, hold for 7, exhale for 8. Repeat 3 times and feel the shift. This works by extending the exhale and reduces the number of breaths you take in a minute. Make time for this everyday, practice it when you are feeling relaxed so you get familiar with the practice. When you turn to it in times of stress your body will respond quickly as it is familiar with the signal.

Grounding in Nature

I always think of nature as my free therapist.
Make time everyday to find ways to connect with nature. This could be a walk in nature, cloud watching, star gazing, following the phases of the moon, listening to birdsong, noticing the seasonal changes, standing barefoot on the grass. Making a habit to consciously connect with aspects of nature around us is helpful. It is like a daily vitamin, boosting our resilience. Feeling connected to nature is associated with feelings of belonging and also of awe. Nature reminds us that we’re a part of something bigger.  So make time every day to connect with the earth and breathe deeply.

Create a Sacred Space

Your Sacred Space = Your Sanctuary. Create a corner in your home dedicated to peace, meditation, or yoga practice. Fill it with things that bring you joy, plants, candles, calming music, or your favorite crystals. Spend time there everyday and reflect, meditate, read or breathe, its time for you. Make this your go to spot whenever stress hits, go there, breathe and take some time to get present.

Movement is Medicine
Even 10 minutes of yoga can drastically reduce stress levels? Flow through some gentle poses like Child’s Pose, Cat-Cow, or a simple Forward Fold to release tension and calm the mind.  Make movement a non-negotiable part of your stress management toolkit.

Journaling

A simple yet effective tool for managing stress is journaling. Start each morning by writing down your thoughts, feelings, and what you’re grateful for. It’s a great way to clear the mental clutter and set a positive tone for the day. Equally you can choose to journal at the end of the day. Getting your thoughts and worries onto paper and out of your head can help you prepare for a better nights sleep.

Check out my latest offering together with @levacounselling.com to dive deeper and learn effective tools to improve resilience and manage stress. Using mind and body we will equip you with strategies and routines that can empower you to manage stress and help you to feel more joy and ease in life. To read more about this offering visit https://louiseantippas.com/stress-management-course/

The course starts 16 September 2024