The first step in managing stress is awareness starts simply by becoming curious about how you respond
to stress, allowing the mind to open to what you're experiencing.
For example, are you clenching your jaw?
Is your stomach tight?
Are you holding tension in your neck and shoulders?
What's the quality of your breath like?
What are your thoughts up to with the practice?
We can charge in recognition of what stress feels like in our bodies and minds so that we can begin
to let it go.
Practice practicing mindfulness can help in this regard.
Effective ways of managing stress
in our lives include minimizing unnecessary stress, saying no to commitments when we're already overextended,
relaxing, rigid and unrealistic standards for ourselves.
Focusing on what's happening right in the present.
Taking to slow is practicing meditation, getting regular exercise, doing progressive muscle relaxation,
taking shorter breaks throughout the day, going on vacation, protecting time away from work each day
and on the weekend, challenging unhelpful thoughts about what you should be doing, carving out time
for yourself to do relaxing, relaxing activities you enjoy.
Like reading.