How to Manage Stress Effectively with Practical Tools
Lena Yaghan is a Psychotherapist in Private Practice and an Anxiety Expert. She is a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional. Lena is the creator of AnxietyEase, a life-changing practice in one App to better help individuals manage their anxiety daily.
Stress, it’s everywhere. We hear almost daily from someone around us, “I am so stressed.” We hear about it constantly, and for good reason. Stress can affect our physical and mental health. How can we learn to handle it more effectively in our daily lives? Here are some practical tools to help you manage everyday stress in a healthier, more productive way.
Reframe your thoughts about stress
Remind yourself that stress doesn’t always have to be negative or seen as a bad thing in our lives. Reframe your thoughts surrounding stress in a positive way. Remember that your goal is to better manage stress, not fully eliminate it.
Talk about it
Talking about your stress with a therapist or a supportive person will release and reduce the negative feelings you have about your recent stressors. It will help you see a different perspective and feel better overall. Even a short conversation can help release the emotional weight you are carrying about your stress. Go ahead talk to someone you trust about your stress.
Focus on what you can control, not what you can’t
In the heat of the moment, a small stressor could feel like a big stressor. Take a step back and ask yourself: “Will this matter in an hour? A day? A week? A month? A year?” Try to see your stress in the context of your overall journey.
Then remind yourself to repeat: “These are the things I can control. These are the things I cannot control.” Repeating this can help you recognize that some stressors are outside of your control, and that’s okay.
These simple mental exercises can help ground you and reduce the sense of helplessness that often comes with stress.
Utilize physical tools
Stress isn’t just in our minds, it also lives in our bodies. Simple physical practices can help release built-up tension. Try utilizing deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, stretching, a short walk, or any form of movement in your day. Even a few minutes of physical activity can calm your nervous system and reset your mindset. Mindfulness practices like meditation or guided breathing can also ground you and help bring you back to the present moment.
Final thought
Stress is a normal part of life, but it doesn’t have to control you. By changing how you view stress, talking about it openly, and focusing on what’s within your power, you can build healthier ways to cope, one step at a time. You got this!
Read more from Lena Yaghan
Lena Yaghan, Psychotherapist & AnxietyEase App Creator
Lena is a Psychotherapist with a passion for helping others conquer their anxiety and fears. She has dedicated her energy to helping others learn tools to better manage their anxiety daily. There is no fear or anxiety challenge she will not help an individual conquer. Her mission is to help others know you can conquer your anxiety. During her interactions with clients in her Private Practice, she decided to create an app to better help others in the world manage their anxiety. AnxietyEase was created in 2022. AnxietyEase has several anxiety tools in one app, such as guided deep breathing videos, journaling with a voice option, creating your mantra, and a worry timer.
