6 Powerful Tools to Manage Stress

It’s an anxious time for many people, including myself. Too much to think and worry about. The world is constantly roiling with violence, destruction, and chaos. But I’ve found six great stress relievers that help…

Rest – This is not the same as sleeping. Rest can be just sitting quietly in your favorite nook, sipping tea, reading a good book, writing in a journal, staring into space, anything that calms the mind. Doing nothing, at times, can be important. Guru Anita Moorjani says the more skittish we feel, the more we must take away from our to-do list. “Anxiety should always be the signal to slow down, not speed up,” she wrote.

Affirmations – Louise Hay, the late founder of inspirational Hay House Publications, said this was her mantra when stressed: “All is well, everything is working out for my highest good; And out of this experience, only good will come. I am safe.” Those three words, especially, “I am safe,” are powerful and really resonate for me. Every day we’re bombarded with intense, violent scenes. It’s easy to feel out of control and overwhelmed.Speaking uplifting words can provide a shield.

Looking at beauty– No wonder the reels of Instagram are so popular, with their swans, kittens, puppies, sunrises, sunsets, Italy, the ocean, people hugging. We must all be reminded that kindness, goodness, and innocence abound. Ever notice how the news always has a nice story at the end of the show, while the rest is horrifying? Wouldn’t it be nice if that was reversed? What if we only had tales of peace fed to us each day? How would our lives and this planet be different?

Getting out in nature – I’ve said this before, but it always strikes me the same. Nature is steady, soothing and constant. In Connecticut, we’re on the precipice of spring and you can feel the excitement in the air! Daffodils are sprouting, and little red blurs are appearing on the tops of trees. Soon green leaves will appear, heralding (at least, to me) the true beginning of the year. Sometimes just standing on the back porch and breathing in helps to quiet life.

Music – I’ve found this wonderful guitarist named Will Ackerman and now play him all the time. Lovely and gentle, his music has become the soundtrack to my life, whether doing my housework, brushing the dog, or just sitting and thinking. I’ll even play him when I can’t sleep at night, and his dulcet tones always work their magic. My jangled mind gravitates to his tranquil strumming like a thirsty plant to water.

Staying Busy—For all my talk about slowing down, there’s lots to be said for distraction. Throwing yourself into your work or hobby can put great distance between you and your problems. Visiting with friends helps too. When you come back, you see things with a fresh mind. I find that’s the case with writing. I can start out edgy, but by the time I’m done scribbling, the world seems more manageable. That helps.

And there you have them.

While the rest of life is zooming past at a frenetic pace, allow yourself to go inward, be still and quiet. Especially in these challenging times, your nervous system will thank you.

 

What are your ways of coping when feeling tense? Comments are always welcome.

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