6 Stress Management Activities to Try Today

Stress and anxiety can make daily life challenging. You may find that your job or family responsibilities trigger a complete meltdown. You might struggle with shallow breathing, headaches, rapid heart rate or palpitations, trembling, and restlessness. Practicing stress management activities can help.

Stress Management Activities to Try Today

Pausing throughout the day to practice stress management activities as part of your morning, afternoon, and evening routine will make it a habit and lower your stress levels overall. Try not to wait until you are a bundle of nerves and ready to scream at your boss. Pick a few stress management activities to use at different times of the day.

For example, try deep breathing exercises before you enjoy a cup of tea at lunchtime, pray and journal with your first cup of coffee in the morning, or relax in the evening after dinner with an adult coloring book before going to bed. When we make these activities part of our daily routine, we give ourselves a small break to decompress and find peace.

Incorporating Physical Movement

Exercise triggers endorphins and leaves you feeling happy and accomplished. Hormones like serotonin and dopamine boost your mood, improve confidence, and lower stress. Physical movement also lowers blood pressure and regulates heart rate. Try streaming a walk-at-home video on YouTube or walking around your block in the mornings. While dinner is cooking or after you eat, consider a walk around your neighborhood or a short jaunt on the treadmill.

Deep Breathing

Stress causes you to breathe more quickly and shallowly. By breathing deeply, you can force more oxygen into your lungs and oxygenate your cells. Practice deep breathing exercises throughout the day. Try inhaling through your nose for the count of four, holding your breath for four counts, and then releasing it from your mouth. Repeat as necessary, noticing the muscle tension and relaxing any stressed areas.

Listing Achievements

Stress can make you forget how far you have come. Instead, anxiety keeps you locked in regret from the past and fear for the future. Take a few minutes today to write down each of your achievements this year, last year, and within the last decade.

If you want, list the important milestones you reached during your 20s, 30s, 40s, and beyond. Thank God for walking with you even when you couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, and then remember that He still walks with you now.

Setting New Goals

Setting new goals that will move you forward in life is exciting, and accomplishing the tasks needed to achieve them will give you a sense of control and lower your stress. Look at your goals and make sure they are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based. Then, list all the tasks you must do to make these goals happen.

Is there one goal that will make the others easier to accomplish? Choose this goal as the one to work on first. Tackle your tasks for fifteen minutes or less daily. You will see results with consistency.

Looking to Creativity

A creative outlet lowers stress by helping you get into a flow state. The act of doing something creative helps distract you from your anxious thoughts and allows you to express and vent your emotions.

For example, try crocheting, knitting, carpentry, writing a short story or poem, painting, sketching, or creating a musical piece. Look to these creative hobbies as outlets for your emotions. Schedule them into your weekly planner like a doctor’s appointment. Keep the promise to yourself that you will follow through.

Praying More

Many of us allow stressors to rule our days and then use prayer as a last resort. Yet, God delivers peace to us even in our most stressful battles. Work prayer throughout the day. You could start with a Bible devotional in the morning with a few minutes of prayer or use a Bible app with a guided prayer.

At night, before you close your eyes, thank God for the day He gave you and ask Him for wisdom and discernment for the morning. Take your worries to Him and trust He will guide you in your next steps.

Christian Counseling in Frisco, Texas

You can practice these stress management activities to reduce stress and anxiety, but if you still struggle with worry, fear, and negative thoughts, seek help. Christian counseling in Frisco, Texas is available and combines evidence-based psychology with principles of faith. Contact our office today at Texas Christian Counseling, Frisco to speak to a member of our reception team, who will connect you with a Christian counselor in Frisco, Texas.