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What Are You Doing to Ease Stress in Your Life?
As a wellness coach for over 12 years—and as a human being—I’ve heard many people talk about what’s stressing them out. And I get it because stress isn’t just about other people; I deal with it too.
Stress is a normal part of life, but you don’t want it to get out of control. If you’re not careful, it can. That’s why you have to stay mindful.
Did you catch my last video? I talked about house cleaning as a way to reduce stress. And it’s true—it helps! Doing something simple like tidying up can pull you into the present moment and away from stressors. But let’s be honest—not everyone likes the idea of cleaning more, even if it does help with stress. I’m one of those people! I don’t want to clean more, even though I know I tend to clean when I’m stressed.
The real issue isn’t that we don’t know what helps with stress—it’s that we aren’t doing it consistently. To truly reduce stress, we need to be intentional and make these practices a regular part of our lives.
So don’t worry—I’ve got you! Whether you’ve forgotten some stress-relief strategies or never considered certain options before, here are a few ideas to try:
1. Get Enough Sleep
Let’s address the elephant in the room—sleep! Sleep is one of the most important factors in managing stress. Why? Because stress leads to inflammation, inflammation leads to disease, and inflammation speeds up aging. That’s not the plan, right? I don’t want to age faster than I have to!
Research shows that quality sleep reduces stress and anxiety. On the flip side, poor sleep makes stress worse. I’ve noticed this firsthand. When I don’t get enough sleep, my blood pressure rises. My husband, Oliver, has also seen how much better his blood pressure is after a good night’s sleep.
You need 7 to 9 hours of sleep—figure out what works for you and make it a priority. If you struggle with sleep, practice good sleep hygiene and set yourself up for success.
2. Laugh More
Laughter is powerful! It helps lower stress by calming your nervous system and boosting feel-good hormones. So, watch a funny movie, call that friend who always cracks you up, or tell some jokes. Just make time to laugh!
3. Listen to Music & Dance
Turn off the news for a while and put on some music! Whether you’re singing, humming, or dancing in your kitchen, music can shift your mood and lower stress.
4. Get Outside
Spending time in nature is calming. Take a walk, sit outside, and soak up some fresh air and sunshine. It works wonders for stress relief.
5. Engage in a Hobby
Hobbies give your mind a break from stress. Whether it’s painting, cooking, photography, or knitting—find something you love and do it regularly.
6. Consider a Pet
If you love animals, a pet can be a great stress reliever. Petting, cuddling, or even just having a furry companion around can help calm the nervous system.
Make Stress Relief a Habit
The goal isn’t to try something once and forget about it. These stress-relief strategies should become part of your daily routine. Small, intentional changes can make a big difference in how you feel.
What’s one thing you’ll start doing today to lower your stress? Let me know!
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