5 Tips for Managing Stress

The holidays are supposed to be a time of festivity and joy, but for some people, it’s a period of increased stress. And, in the modern world, most of us already live with quite enough stress. 

The highly trained and knowledgeable providers at Hudson River Care and Counseling help patients understand and manage stress as part of their day-to-day work—and they also navigate stress themselves. If you have a condition such as depression or anxiety, PTSD, or some other clinical issue, learning how to manage stress is especially important. 

Here are five valuable tips for managing stress. Since you’re a unique individual, you may find that some work well for you and others don’t. Finding the right combination of stress management techniques that work in the context of your life can be the key to peace of mind. 

1.  Practice relaxation

When you think about relaxing, what comes to mind? Is it your favorite chair and a movie? Maybe you can imagine being on a beach in the sunshine. Although those are fine ways to relax, that’s not what we discuss here. 

Practice day-to-day relaxation to manage stress. You may choose to learn about meditation, yoga, or biofeedback. Tai chi, mindfulness, breathing exercises, and many other techniques can also be helpful. 

One way to get started is to notice when you feel stressed. When you realize it, stop and breathe slowly. Think for a moment about how your body feels and what you can see, hear, and smell. Once you make those observations, return to whatever you were doing. 

2. Get some exercise

When you find an enjoyable activity, moving your body becomes a joy. It can improve your sleep, your overall health, and your mood. Finding what you like best may take some work, but it’s worth the effort. 

Some people find group exercise invigorating and others are uncomfortable with the very idea. If you’ve always hated running, don’t try to train for a marathon. The idea is to find activities you look forward to. 

It’s helpful to know that sometimes it takes a little practice to determine if you actually do or don’t enjoy an activity. It may be awkward or uncomfortable at first, but then more enjoyable. Try different things and give them a chance before deciding you don’t like them. 

3. Sleep better

How’s the quality of your sleep? Most people don’t sleep enough, and the sleep they do get may not be all that restful. The terrible irony is that being stressed can interfere with your sleep; the less sleep you get, the more stressed you’re likely to feel. 

Consider your bedtime routine, and seek ways to relieve stress before sleeping. Some things you might try include: 

• Taking a warm bath or shower
• Avoiding food or beverages for 2-3 hours before bed
• Turning the lights down an hour or so before bed
• Not using a screen for at least an hour before bed
• Keeping your bedroom cooler 

Set a regular bedtime and wake-up time each day, even on the weekends. Sleeping in can disrupt your circadian rhythm. 

4. Build in time for enjoyable activities

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it can be all too easy to let your schedule fill up with responsibilities and obligations until you feel like there’s no time left for things you enjoy. That can be stressful in and of itself or exacerbate other stresses in your life. 

Build time in your schedule on purpose for things that you enjoy. This could be anything from time with your family to watching sports or reading a book. Whatever brings you pleasure, make sure you set aside time for it. 

5. Get help

Sometimes, recognizing that you’re dealing with chronic stress and finding ways to manage it requires help, and that’s where the team at Hudson River Care and Counseling can come in. 

Having someone to talk through your feelings and issues with could even relieve stress. Our team can also help you find ways to limit your stress or identify ways to manage it. 

If you’re living with chronic stress, schedule an appointment today. We’re always happy to help, and you can visit our Hoboken or Teaneck offices or take advantage of our virtual appointment option.