When stress becomes overwhelming, it's essential to know how to manage it in the moment and adopt coping mechanisms that help you relax and regain control. One of the most effective techniques is taking a few deep breaths, often referred to as "breathwork." This can be done anywhere and at any time, as it calms the body and mind.
Another crucial technique is shaking your body - think like a dog when feeling stressed. Baird recommends this move because "it helps release some of that pent-up stress" and allows you to release tension in your muscles.
While social media platforms can be an excellent way to stay connected, excessive phone use can be detrimental to our mental health. This is why setting digital boundaries is crucial. Feliciano suggests putting your phone on grayscale mode to minimize the hits of dopamine and help manage screen time.
Another effective technique is being mindful and present in what you're doing at that moment. Ask yourself if you have made time for activities that bring you joy, and do they genuinely motivate you? Baird emphasizes that laughter is key – go see a comedy show, watch something that makes you laugh uncontrollably or spend time with people who make you laugh to create a physiological release.
Prioritizing sleep hygiene is also essential. Getting seven to nine hours of sleep each night can help your body recover and replenish its energy levels.
Maintaining a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins will support your overall well-being. Cutting down on processed foods and sugar can significantly reduce stress hormones.
Creative activities like painting, drawing or music should be taken up as a way to alleviate stress. "It is really important that it is not about creating something that you can put out into the world; you're not creating it for the purpose of achieving something," Baird explains.
Lastly, setting boundaries and learning to say no without feeling guilty can also help you manage stress more effectively. During the holiday season, Feliciano recommends identifying your priorities and saying yes to activities that truly matter to you, while politely declining those that could lead to burnout.
Another crucial technique is shaking your body - think like a dog when feeling stressed. Baird recommends this move because "it helps release some of that pent-up stress" and allows you to release tension in your muscles.
While social media platforms can be an excellent way to stay connected, excessive phone use can be detrimental to our mental health. This is why setting digital boundaries is crucial. Feliciano suggests putting your phone on grayscale mode to minimize the hits of dopamine and help manage screen time.
Another effective technique is being mindful and present in what you're doing at that moment. Ask yourself if you have made time for activities that bring you joy, and do they genuinely motivate you? Baird emphasizes that laughter is key – go see a comedy show, watch something that makes you laugh uncontrollably or spend time with people who make you laugh to create a physiological release.
Prioritizing sleep hygiene is also essential. Getting seven to nine hours of sleep each night can help your body recover and replenish its energy levels.
Maintaining a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins will support your overall well-being. Cutting down on processed foods and sugar can significantly reduce stress hormones.
Creative activities like painting, drawing or music should be taken up as a way to alleviate stress. "It is really important that it is not about creating something that you can put out into the world; you're not creating it for the purpose of achieving something," Baird explains.
Lastly, setting boundaries and learning to say no without feeling guilty can also help you manage stress more effectively. During the holiday season, Feliciano recommends identifying your priorities and saying yes to activities that truly matter to you, while politely declining those that could lead to burnout.
I think it's so true that taking a few deep breaths can really calm you down in a stressful moment... like when I'm stuck in traffic 
. And shaking your body like a dog is actually kinda funny, I've tried it before and it works! 
But seriously, setting boundaries on our phones is so important, especially during the holidays when we're supposed to be all about connecting with loved ones but end up getting sucked into social media 
. Prioritizing sleep hygiene is also key, I'm definitely guilty of staying up late watching YouTube vids 
. And hey, making time for things that bring us joy and laughter can totally make a difference in managing stress 
Like, we get it, social media is a thing, but can't we just take a break for once? 
I mean, have you ever noticed how everyone on Instagram seems to be having this perfect life? Meanwhile, we're over here feeling like total failures 
. It's time to put our phones away and find some real ways to relax, like meditation or actually talking to people face-to-face 
. And can we please stop trying to make stress sound so sexy? "Take a few deep breaths" is not going to cut it when you're feeling overwhelmed 
. We need concrete solutions here! 
But at the same time, there's this whole thing about being present in the moment... I feel like that's where the magic happens. When you're fully engaged in what you're doing, nothing else matters. Just the now.
It's all about priorities, you know? What are we putting first in our lives?
I'm so down with taking a few deep breaths whenever I feel overwhelmed 
... it's literally a lifesaver! And shaking like a dog when stressed is genius too 
. I've started putting my phone on grayscale mode at night and it's been a game changer for me 
. Prioritizing sleep hygiene is so important, I'm trying to get 8 hours of sleep every night and it's amazing how much more energized I feel during the day 
.
oh girl, managing stress is like a superpower 
we need to prioritize our well-being over everything else! taking deep breaths 
can actually help reduce screen time and those pesky dopamine hits? 
also, laughter is the best medicine 
we should take care of our bodies so they can fuel our minds. and lastly, setting boundaries and saying no without feeling guilty is a total game changer 
we need to prioritize ourselves and our own well-being! 
. and let's be real, who doesn't need more laughter in their life? 
. and i love how feliciano mentioned setting boundaries and saying no without feeling guilty 
btw i'm all about them digital boundaries rn u should def put ur phone on grayscale mode 2 manage screen time 
gotta try more of these activities lmao like painting, drawin, or makin music & laughin w/ friends u should totes set boundaries 2 & learn 2 say no without feelin guilty 
. It's not about making something perfect, just enjoying the process. And saying no without feeling guilty can be tough, but I'm trying to work on that more too 
. Simple, right? 
. Like, who needs deep breathing or shaking like a dog? Can't we just be stressed already? It's overrated. And don't even get me started on grayscale mode – what's wrong with regular phone use, anyway? If I want to scroll through my feeds, I'm gonna do it. Priorities, people! 
How about we just get some fresh air and a change of scenery instead? Nature's like, way more effective at calming us down, imo 
. Taking a few deep breaths is a great start, but what really resonates with me is the idea of shaking off that tension – literally 
. By making stress management a priority and surrounding ourselves with positivity, I think we can learn to thrive in even the most chaotic of times 
.
I'm all for that! It might sound silly, but it can be so freeing to just let loose and shake off some tension.
. And finding time for the things that make you happy? That's just essential, you know? Whether it's painting, music, or even just a good laugh with friends 
, but it's worth it in the end.
And what's up with this whole "taking deep breaths" thing? Sounds like a fancy way of saying "relaxation techniques" – when are we gonna start making changes to our society that actually promote relaxation and reduce stress? 