WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH – 4 EASY WAYS TO MANAGE STRESS

September 28, 2017

As the long, lazy days of summer give way to the early chills of autumn, the pace of life speeds up. The kids are back in school, there is more congestion on the roads, and it seems like we all have a million things to do and places to be at once. If you feel your stress levels creeping up, try one of these easy mindfulness tips to get back on track:

Breathe

Take a minute to clear your mind and concentrate on your breathing. Place your hand on your belly and feel the rise and fall as you inhale and exhale. Studies have shown that awareness of breathing can greatly reduce one of the stress hormones for caregivers.

Give yourself a break

When we have a long to-do list, it can be tempting to remain rooted in one place, working nonstop. Stand up and move around every hour. Make sure to take the time to eat lunch. Use your break to relax or enjoy the last of the nice weather on a walk outside.

Focus on one task at a time

Set multi-tasking aside in favour of focusing on a single task or activity at a time. You might find that you accomplish more by seeing one single task through from beginning to end than you would when you try to complete several things at once. You’ll make fewer mistakes, too!

Stop and smell the flowers

The world is filled with beauty. Stop and take time to appreciate the warmth of the sun or a perfect parking spot. By incorporating gratitude for the small wonders of life into your daily routine, you may find yourself better equipped to handle the stressors you may face along the way.