Stress can be a trigger that takes us into more anxiety, more depression, more isolation, more avoidance, worse sleep, more anger, and more substance use.

Then, it can be hard to come up for air, assess the situation, problem solve and take action.

Yet we all live with stress, oftentimes lots of stress. So, how can we cope with the inevitable? Here are some ideas:

Write down what could set off your stress response and what has set it off in the past. Finances? Illness? Relationships? Work?
Take one of those things you wrote down, reflect on a past event, and consider what you could now do differently to manage how the stressful event impacted you. For example, when my daughter is tired, she screams more and is tough to handle. The combo of when I am also tired, and she is tired equals me fighting back with her as if she is my adversary. I have recognized that our combined tiredness activates the stress response in me. So, I’m trying to breathe deeper when she is tangry (tired+angry), get her into bed as quickly as possible, and then congratulate myself for staying in my parent role.
Connect with people, animals, nature. Social support is crucial to help with navigating stress. When we can talk with someone about what is stressing us out, and that person validates our stress, it can help not only decrease the stress but allow us to move through the emotional and mood impacts of tension faster.
Ideas to increase your sense of connection: talk with the check-out person, smile or nod or say hello to a person you pass when going for a walk, consider joining a support group if you are dealing with a mood disorder, anxiety, trauma, etc..… Move your body (connection to your mind/body), go to a pet store, hang out with the animals, and maybe talk with someone there. If there is a social media situation that feels supportive, interesting, or helpful—make a supportive or positive comment.
Food and beverage choices. Diet can affect our mood. Stress often increases inflammation in the body. Consider adding some anti-inflammatory foods to your eating routine. Omega’s can also help with mood challenges, especially depression. Fish oil and flaxseed oil are great supplements for your coping toolkit. Stay hydrated. Avoid perfection; consider progress.
Develop trust in yourself that you can handle stress and the inevitability of change. It takes courage to examine what isn’t working with how you deal with your stress response. And then how to tweak what you can. Finding new ways to look at stress and to believe you can handle it is a process. You aren’t alone, even though it can feel like it.
If things feel really overwhelming and you don’t know where to start, it may be helpful to seek out some therapy or counseling so you aren’t alone in your suffering. You can express your concerns, feel heard, and begin to make choices and take action steps to change your relationship with stress.

I hope some of these ideas help! For more information if I could possibly support, Contact Me.