Stress is a normal part of life. A certain level of stress is healthy – it can be motivating and can help you be more productive. But when stress feels too intense or overwhelming — or lasts too long — it can become a problem for both your physical and your emotional health.
Signs your Stress Level is Too High
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Strategies to try if you’re experiencing any of the above
Focus on taking good care of yourself by:
- Getting enough sleep
- Eating healthy, well-balanced meals
- Exercising regularly and sensibly
Give yourself a break:
- Take a long bath or hot shower
- Read for pleasure
- Connect with teammates or loved ones
- Do something fun that you enjoy
Keep it all in perspective:
- Practice gratitude — instead of focusing on your stress, focus on what’s going well in your life
- Try to separate what you can control from what you can’t; if you can’t control something, let it go.
Practice relaxation:
- Deep breathing
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Writing or Listening to music
Avoid drugs and alcohol (short term may seem like a way to lessen or avoid feelings of stress; but in the long run, they make it much worse).
Recognize when you need more help and reach out.
Strategies to try if you are feeling down
- Figure out what is making you feel down and, if possible, address it
- Recognize and challenge negative thinking
- Reach out to your support network
- Take care of yourself
If these strategies don’t help, or if you feel too down to try them, it may be time to seek help.
