I'm so stressed - I don't know what to do!

The coronavirus pandemic has unleashed immense fear, uncertainty and grief — worsen by physical distancing and an economy in the crapper. It is completely normal and understandable that we are feeling stressed, anxious, sad and irritable. But for people in an unprecedented situation dealing with unfamiliar emotions, it can be difficult to know how much anxiety or irritability is too much.

Regardless of where you are experiencing stress in your life, it can lead to a multitude of health problems. Stress can cause muscle pain, chest pain, trouble sleeping, and much more.

We all have different stressors in our lives, but it is important to know what to do when we are stressed. Here are some tools that I've personally used to relive my stress and help to create a more relax environment.

1. Meditation

If you’re wondering how to get rid of anxiety, the first thing to try is meditation. Meditation is a very simple process once you get the hang of it. Sit or lay down comfortably in a quiet area. Then, close your eyes and begin deep breathing. Focus all your attention on your breathing. Feel how your body changes when you’re breathing in and out. It’s natural for your mind to wander during this process, just try to re-concentrate on your breathing when this happens. You can also find plenty of guided meditation videos or smartphone apps to help you through the process. Even just a few moments of meditation can help you relax. It’s also beneficial to try meditation right before you go to sleep or right after you wake up.

2. Exercise

One of the best things to do when you’re stressed is exercise. It’s common knowledge that physical activity releases endorphins, which triggers a happy effect in your body. Hence, my loud VOUSTROUS and VIGOROUS self every morning. So anytime you’re feeling extra stressed, releasing some endorphins into your body can help. It doesn’t mean you need to be in a gym every hour on the hour or purchase some outrageous membership and become a bodybuilder. Something as simple as a nightly walk around the block can help reduce stress levels. You can also join some KIKIFay Fitness ONLINE classes to get both exercise and social interaction at the same time.

3. Talk About It

Another great way to de-stress is to talk about what you are going through. You can always go the professional route and find a therapist to talk about your problems with. They can help you figure out what’s causing your stress and recommend proper treatments. Another professional option is finding a support group. There are support groups available for all kinds of different situations, from being a stay-at-home parent to a recovering addict. And sometimes all you need is a compassionate friend, community group or family member. Someone who will listen to you while you vent about the stressors in your life.

4. Herbal Stress Formula

Herbal stress formulas are a great way to remove your stress. Soulera herbal blend delivers hundreds of biological molecules to the cellular level of your body. It contains a blend of adaptogenic herbs, which are healing plants that work to balance, restore and protect the body. This formula not only lowers your stress levels but also supports one's energy and allows you to better handle stress. There is literally nothing to lose; worth a try!

5. Schedule Self-Care Time

When your life gets more stressful than usual, make sure to schedule some self-care time. Choose a time every day that you can dedicate to yourself; all you need is a few minutes. Treat this time as a normally scheduled event, something that you need to do every day. Self-care activities are not the same for everyone. It's mainly based on your personality. Just pick an activity that focuses on your own wants and needs, not the wants and needs of others. Having this time to yourself can help decrease your stress levels.

6. Turn up the Tunes

Another thing to try if you’re feeling stressed is to turn on some music. Music has a huge influence on someone’s mood. If you’re feeling tense, play some music you enjoy singing along to. Or try some dance music and get those endorphins levels up. You can also try to listen to music from your past, which could remind you of happy memories. Another option is to listen to relaxing music or sounds. Acoustic music can be soothing and non-distracting. Some people opt to listen to relaxing sounds, like rain, to relax and unwind. Experiment and explore the different genres of music to test how they make you feel. You’re bound to find a genre that helps you relax.

7. Find Your Triggers

Sometimes getting rid of anxiety is as easy as finding your triggers. To do this, use a mood journal to track your stress levels. Write in your journal nightly, listing any activities you did that day, people you interacted with, and your overall stress level. After a few weeks, look back on your most stressful days. Is there a theme? Maybe your stress is triggered by too many assignments at work. Or, your stress may get worse after hanging out with a toxic friend. Your stress could even be because of having back-to-back activities and no rest. Once you acknowledge your triggers, you can then work to avoid them. This might involve finding a new job, cutting ties with toxic people, or even just scheduling more self-care time.

Now You Know What to Do When You’re Stressed

Now you are fully aware of some possible de-stressors to do when you’re stressed. Start with one of the listed items and try to make it a habit in your lifestyle. It can take up to 66 days to form a new habit, experts say. After a few weeks, either move onto a different tip or try adding another one of these tips into your routine to help de-stress your life. Namaste!

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