10 Tips for Managing Stress

Stress is contagious! Children know when their caretaker(s) are tense and overwhelmed. Data shows that the greatest source of childhood and adolescent stress is not school work, extracurricular activities, or peer pressure, but parental stress. It’s very important to manage your own stress!

Here are some tips to do so:

Stress can affect us all – whether it’s an event that’s affected us or were feeling under too much pressure.

1. Exercise. Go for a walk; it will release natural feel-good endorphins in your brain.
2. Reduce Smoking and alcohol. Try and cut right back as they actually make problems worse.
3. Eat well. Eat a healthy diet, including fruit and vegetables, and drink enough water.
4. Prioritize sleep. Cut down on caffeine and screen time.
5. Practice mindfulness. When you wake up focus on your breathing for a few minutes. Notice how you feel.
6. Chill out. Do things that you enjoy and make you feel relaxed.
7. Be your own cheerleader. Set realistic goals and rewards your achievements.
8. Communicate. Know when to say no to things and don’t take on too much.
9. Take a break. A change of scenery can help you to relax and gain perspective.
10. Seek support. Friends and Family can help you, or you could join a club, take a course or volunteer.

Signs of Stress

Stress and anxiety can appear in a variety of ways. 

Physical Symptoms: Major sleep problems, fatigue, low energy and lower appetite.

Emotional Symptoms: Virus-related worries, negative vision of daily events and feelings of insecurity, sadness and anger.

Behavioral Symptoms: Increase in use or misuse of alcohol or drugs, difficulty in concentrating and carrying out daily tasks, irritability, and aggression.