Hold an ice cube – and shake like a dog: therapists on 16 simple, surprising ways to beat stress

To manage stress when overwhelmed, psychotherapists recommend several techniques. The first step is to recognize signs of stress such as headaches or digestive problems, as well as emotional symptoms like irritability or low mood.

A key strategy is to prioritize sleep hygiene by getting seven to nine hours of sleep each night and establishing a consistent bedtime routine. This helps reduce stress hormones and improves mental health. Another technique is to incorporate physical activity into your daily routine, such as doing jumping jacks or going for a walk, which releases endorphins that can help alleviate stress.

Mindfulness practices like meditation or yoga can also be beneficial in managing stress levels by teaching you to stay present in the moment rather than worrying about past or future events. By being more mindful, you can become more aware of your thoughts and emotions and take steps to address them before they escalate into full-blown anxiety attacks.

Additionally, setting boundaries with others is crucial for maintaining emotional balance during holiday season. This means prioritizing what's truly important to you and saying "no" to commitments that may drain your energy or lead to feelings of resentment.
 
I'm not convinced these stress management techniques are the solution 🤔. I mean, who needs to get 7-9 hours of sleep when you're actually tired from doing stuff? Just think about it, if I don't have time for a walk or jumping jacks because I'm too busy, what's the point of that? And setting boundaries during holiday season sounds like just an excuse to miss out on fun. Why should I prioritize my own energy over seeing friends and family? 🎉 It's all about balance, right?
 
🤔 I'm kinda curious about these stress management techniques tho... like, how do u prioritize sleep hygiene when u have a job & family responsibilities? can't just drop everything 4 a full 8hrs of zzz's every night. and what's the deal w/ physical activity? jumping jacks & walks r okay but wut about when u're stuck in traffic or on public transport? 🚗😒
 
The perpetual conundrum of stress management 🤯. I think it's high time we acknowledge the importance of establishing a healthy sleep schedule 😴. The notion of prioritizing seven to nine hours of slumber each night is, in my opinion, a rather sensible approach. It makes total sense that this would reduce stress hormones and positively impact mental health. In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and neglect our own well-being. But if we can take the time to prioritize self-care, I believe we'll be better equipped to handle life's challenges with more poise and composure 💆‍♀️.
 
😊 I'm so glad they're talking about stress management now! I've been trying out all these techniques myself, like getting enough sleep (I set an alarm 2 hours earlier every morning) 🕰️ and doing yoga in the morning to clear my head. But what really works for me is writing down my thoughts and feelings after a stressful day. It's like a digital journaling session 😊, helps me process everything and gets rid of all the anxiety before bed.

I also love taking short walks outside during my lunch break 🌳. Being in nature helps calm me down and I can focus on breathing. And you're right, setting boundaries is so important this time of year! My friends always want to hang out, but I'm like "guys, I need some me-time too" 😅 I mean, it's all about finding that balance, right?
 
Stress is like a bad in-law - it just won't leave 😂! But seriously, I think the key to managing stress is being aware of when you're about to turn into a zombie 🧠. Like, if you notice your headaches are getting worse or you're snapping at everyone for no reason, it's time to take a step back and prioritize sleep (I mean, who doesn't love sleep 😴?)? And let's be real, exercise is like the best mood booster - unless you're one of those people who gets anxious about working out 🏋️‍♀️, then just stick with your cat for now.

And honestly, boundaries are so important during the holidays. It's hard to say no to family and friends when they're all asking you to hang out, but like, prioritize your sanity (and maybe get a few extra coffee beans to make it through the chaos ☕️). Mindfulness is key - unless you're one of those people who gets anxious thinking about mindfulness... yeah, good luck with that 🤣.
 
OMG 🤯, I'm like totally stressed out just thinking about the holidays! 😅 Did u know that 9/10 people experience holiday-related stress? 🤔 According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, 60% of adults report feeling anxious or stressed during the holiday season. 📊 That's a lot of pressure to put on ourselves!

I think setting boundaries is SO important 🚫. Like, I'm guilty of overcommitting and ending up exhausted 😴. But prioritizing what's truly important to me? 🤝 That's key! And OMG 🤯, exercise can literally change your brain chemistry! 🧠 Did u know that regular exercise can reduce stress hormones by 23%? 💊 Mindfulness practices like meditation or yoga are also super beneficial for managing stress levels. They can even help you live up to 12 years longer than if u didn't practice mindfulness 🙏!

Anywayz, I just wanted to share some stress management tips that actually work for me 😌. Anyone else got any favorite stress-reducing activities? 🤗
 
omg stress management is literally soooo important!!! i mean like getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night and doing some physical activity is a total game changer for me!! 🏋️‍♀️💤 I've started taking meditation classes and it's been super helpful in calming my mind and focusing on the present moment. And setting boundaries with others is soooo key! like don't get me wrong i love spending time with friends but sometimes you just gotta say no to stuff that's gonna drain your energy. prioritizing self care is literally the best thing ever 💖
 
stress these days is like trying to find a decent wifi signal - it's just not there lol 📊 i mean, with all the demands on our time and energy, it's easy to get overwhelmed. but you know what was easier back in the day? finding quality time with friends and family without all the distractions of social media 😂 now we've got to schedule everything down to the minute, it's like we're all just trying to survive this crazy holiday season 🎄

anyway, i agree that prioritizing sleep is key - remember those warm summer nights where you could just fall asleep whenever? yeah, us too 🤣 but seriously, getting some rest can make all the difference. and physical activity is important too... who needs a gym membership when you can just take a walk around the block and enjoy the fresh air? 🌳

mindfulness practices are great for staying present, but let's be real, it's hard to stay focused with all these notifications buzzing in your ear 📱. setting boundaries is also crucial - remember when we didn't have to worry about 'keeping up appearances' all the time? 🙄 those were simpler times...
 
I'm so down with all these stress management tips 🤩. I think the most underrated one is setting boundaries, man... it's like, easy to get caught up in trying to do everything for others and forget about yourself 🙅‍♂️. I mean, I know people who are super busy during holidays, but they end up burnt out by January 😴. It's all about prioritizing what makes you happy and saying no to things that don't align with your goals 💪. And honestly, taking care of your mental health is so important for being present in the moment 🙏... like, when was the last time you took a few minutes just to breathe and enjoy yourself? 🌳
 
I'm totally exhausted this semester 🤯😴 I mean, school is crazy right now! We're having midterms soon and I know I'm gonna be super stressed out when those come around... like, seriously, how am I supposed to remember all that material?

But anyway, my friend told me about these stress-reducing techniques from her therapist and it made so much sense 💡 Like, taking care of your sleep hygiene is literally the most important thing. I'm not even kidding when I say that if I don't get enough sleep, I'm a hot mess 🤪!

And have you ever tried doing yoga in class? 😂 It's literally the best way to relax before exams... just pretend like everyone else isn't studying too and you're all just chillin' 🌱

I wish people would understand how stressful it is to be a student, you know? We're not just 'schoolkids', we're adults in training 👩‍🎓. And boundaries are key, I swear by setting limits with my friends and family so I can actually get some work done 📚💻
 
Ugh, I know someone who totally lost it this holiday season 🤯. She was always the one hosting parties and volunteering at charity events, but then she started getting overwhelmed by all the socializing and ended up feeling like she was drowning in her own obligations 😩. I think if she had prioritized her sleep and physical activity from the start (I mean, let's be real, who does that? 😉), she wouldn't have felt so burnt out. And instead of trying to fit everything into her schedule, she should've just set some clear boundaries with her friends and family 🤝. It's all about finding that balance, you know? Like, I'm not saying I'm perfect, but I try to pace myself during the holidays so I don't end up feeling like a hot mess 😂.
 
I'm feeling a bit stressed just thinking about the holiday season 🤯. I know setting boundaries with others is super important, but it's easy to get sucked into all those social obligations 🎄. Like, I love spending time with friends and family, but I need to make sure I don't overdo it. For me, that means prioritizing self-care activities like exercise and meditation 🧘‍♀️. It's not about being antisocial or anything, it's just about making sure I'm taking care of myself so I can enjoy the holiday season without feeling drained 💆‍♀️.
 
I totally get why people feel overwhelmed during the holidays 🤯, but I think we can all learn from each other here. For me, taking a few minutes each day to meditate is super helpful in staying chill 💆‍♀️. But, at the same time, I'm not gonna lie, some days are just super busy and I need to get my endorphins pumping through exercise 🏃‍♀️ or a good dance party to lift my mood.

I love how prioritizing sleep hygiene is mentioned - 7-9 hours of zzz's can make all the difference in managing stress 😴. And, I'm all for setting boundaries with others, but it's also super important to communicate those boundaries in a loving and respectful way ❤️. No one wants to be on someone's naughty list during the holidays! 🎅
 
😊 I gotta say, managing stress is like trying to keep the site from getting too salty 🤯. You gotta know when to take a break, ya know? Recognizing those early warning signs of stress is key - headaches, low mood, all that jazz. It's like spotting a troll in the comments section before they start causing drama 😒.

And yeah, prioritizing sleep and physical activity are total game-changers 💪. I mean, who doesn't love a good walk or some jumping jacks after a long day of browsing? 🏃‍♀️ But seriously, it's all about finding balance and taking care of yourself. Like, setting boundaries with others is super important too - don't overcommit, just like how you shouldn't over-post on the site 😅.

Mindfulness practices are cool too, but let's be real, some people might not wanna sit still for 30 minutes 🤪. Just kidding, meditation and yoga can be super beneficial in managing stress levels. And hey, it's always better to be present in the moment rather than worrying about the past or future 🕰️.
 
🤯💆‍♀️😴 stress is like a meme, it just won't leave u 😂 but seriously, prioritize sleep and exercise 👏💪 then meditate on the couch with a pizza 🍕👌 mindfulness is key 🔓💫
 
I'm so glad I stumbled upon this! I've been feeling really overwhelmed lately and my stress levels have been through the roof 🤯. Recognizing those early signs like headaches and low mood is super key, imo. I also need to get better at prioritizing sleep - 7-9 hours of shut-eye sounds like a dream come true 😴. And have you ever tried jumping jacks during lunch? It's literally the best way to take a break and boost your mood 🏋️‍♀️! Meditation and yoga are cool too, but for me it's more about finding that balance between being present and not losing myself in thoughts 🙏. Setting boundaries is also super important - I've been saying no to commitments just to have some me-time and it feels amazing 😊.
 
Stress management tips are really useful i guess 🤷‍♂️. I was talking to my friend last night and he was telling me how he started doing yoga in the morning to calm himself down after a long day at work. It's like, really simple but it works right? He even shared some cool videos online that you can follow along with 👉

And yeah, sleep hygiene is super important too 😴. I used to stay up all night playing games and watch YouTube vids, but now I make sure I'm in bed by 10 PM so I can get at least 7 hours of sleep. It's weird how much of a difference it makes 🤯.
 
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