Stress is a normal occurrence in every person’s life. It could motivate you to finish tasks and responsibilities you might not pursue if you don’t feel challenged. But rather than using stress as a motivator, people generally deal with it in an unhealthy way, causing them to face some mental, emotional, or physical issues. Some of the unhealthy ways of handling stress may include overeating, becoming a workaholic, consuming excessive caffeine, using drugs, drinking, and developing anxiety.

All these could result in constant worrying, and the improper way of managing stress could disrupt life. Thus, it’s important to know how to react to stress healthily. The healthier you respond and deal with stress, the more you have the jump-start and motivation to complete your school or work duties, meet deadlines, and have effective solutions to your problems.

To help you healthily manage stress, try implementing self-care practices in your daily life. For your guide, here’s a seven-item self-care checklist to help you manage and deal with daily stress.

1. Have a Healthy Work-Life Balance

One of the main culprits of stress is the lack of a healthy work-life balance. If you’re always working and have no time for your personal life, you eventually become a workaholic. To attain a healthy work-life balance and manage stress, you need to set limits for yourself.

As much as possible, avoid taking your work at home, especially to your bedroom, which is supposed to be your sanctuary. Make it a goal to do work-related tasks within your working hours only (from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., for instance). It’s also ideal to set one break time in the morning and afternoon, even for 10-15 minutes. Then you can utilise your break time to decompress and recollect yourself emotionally, physically, and mentally.

Meanwhile, if you’re still struggling to develop strategies to maintain a healthy work-life balance, it’s best to seek assistance from experts, like those in Allied Health OT and similar providers. A professional occupational therapist will guide and assist you in developing skills like time management, home management, and self-care.

2. Engage in Physical Activities

Doing physical activities several times a week is an excellent way to reduce excessive stress. Physical activities don’t always have to be done at the gym. Even as simple as taking a brief walk every morning, going for a jog, or biking your way to work is enough to make you feel better emotionally. Regular exercise will also keep you physically fit, making you feel good about yourself.

3. Immerse Yourself in Nature

If you have difficulty managing stress in your daily life, perhaps you need a change of scenery. Being on the same four walls most of the day can take a toll on your mental and emotional health. So as an act of self-care, make time to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy breathtaking views. You can walk in the park with your pet, watch the beach waves, or gaze at the stars. Being into nature will help change your viewpoint and put your issues or problems into perspective.

4. Do Something Relaxing

Set aside a few minutes every day to do something that relaxes you or puts you at ease. It can be a hobby or any activity that distracts you from any school or work-related issues. Some relaxing activities you can do may include watching television, reading a good book, taking a warm bath, painting, listening to music, or gardening. Doing something you love or that relaxes you can help relieve stress. Most importantly, remind yourself never to feel guilty for taking a break and doing something relaxing.

5. Practice Relaxation Techniques

If you’ve never tried doing relaxing techniques before, now is the time to start incorporating them into your lifestyle. You can start by doing deep-breathing techniques during your lunch break at work. Once you get home, set aside at least 5-10 minutes to meditate or practice yoga. These relaxation techniques can do wonderful things for your mind and body and make stress easier to manage.

6. Look After Your Body

Whether you’re working long hours or still stuck at home, make sure to always pay extra attention to your body, the most important item to include in your self-care checklist. This includes practices like eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, washing your hands, and following an oral, hair, or skincare routine. Knowing you’re caring for your body will surely make you feel happier and healthier and enable you to manage stress more easily.

7. Socialise with People

Being busy doesn’t mean having to cut yourself off from your social circle. The more you isolate yourself due to your hectic schedule, the more you’d feel stressed out. Always make time to socialise and connect with the people who mean a lot to you.

Invite a friend or family member for a coffee date after getting off from work, or schedule a video chat with your friends at night. You can even have a remote game night with your best buddies without stepping out of the house. Socialising will distract you from your worries, and before you know it, you’ve relieved yourself from stress.

Takeaway

Stress is a constant issue you need to know how to manage and deal with. Through this self-care checklist, you can manage your stress levels in a healthy manner and ensure your mental and physical health is in better shape.