Is stress taking a toll on your mental and physical health?

Is stress taking a toll on your mental and physical health? We all experience stress from time to time, and it's totally normal. It helps us whenever we're faced up against challenges, it helps us accomplish goals. But when that stress is unchecked and gets out of hand, that's when it can start having a toll on your mental and physical well-being. That's why it's so important to have tools and coping strategies in place to help you deal with stress. I'm going to share some coping strategies that I've learned and that I use in my daily life to keep my stress levels in check.

The first one I'm going to discuss is breathing. Now, I know that sounds very logical, but when we're anxious or overwhelmed, a lot of times our breathing gets very rapid and fast. One of the first things that you can do when stress arises is take a second to slow down your breathing. You can work on deep breathing through your abdominal and just slow down it down, giving yourself and your body the cue that it's okay, you're not in immediate danger. And it's going to allow you to relax, to work through the stressor that you're currently facing.

The second strategy I'm going to share is exercise. Now, this doesn't need to be anything too crazy, but even just a 30-minute walk outside when you're starting to feel overwhelm and anxiousness creep up really does make a huge difference. Getting outside and getting that change of scenery gives you a different perspective and may bring some different ideas on how to problem solve the current situation you're in.

Finally, self-care. By that I mean, making sure you're getting seven to nine hours of sleep each night, making sure you're staying hydrated through the day. And then also taking time for hobbies and things that you truly enjoy, whether that's reading or a certain activity or exercise.

By having healthy coping mechanisms such as these in your back pocket, it allows you to continue to thrive even when you're going through tough times or if you're thrown a curveball.

I really hope this was helpful. If you can, give it a like and share it with someone who you think might benefit from it. Thank you!