Tips to Support Yourself When Life Throws a Stressful Situation at You

Life throws all kinds of stressful situations at us. Here are some simple tips for when you’re dealing with a particularly stressful time. These tips are also super helpful for times when things aren’t feeling stressful, and they can be easier to implement when stress is lower.

1. Be gentle with yourself. You’re doing your best. You really are. When things feel especially hard, some of us can be hard on ourselves when being gentle is the most caring and loving approach.

2. Reach out to trusted support. A therapist, coach, trusted friend who can hold the space for what you need can be so helpful.

3. Sleep. Sleep helps everything all the time. But when you are stressed, it can be harder to sleep so anything you can do to support this is helpful! Taking melatonin and epsom salt baths are both tools I’ve used and enjoyed.

4. Eat. Small meals with protein, healthy fat and carbs. Stress can make us not feel hungry but keeping blood sugar balanced and energy levels up will only help you be more resilient.

5. Hydrate! Hydration is so important for many aspects of our body and health and is a simple way you can make sure you are taking the best care of yourself that you can.

6. Track your nervous system and support what it needs to down regulate (grounding, orienting, singing, walking, dancing). When you are stressed, the nervous system goes into fight or flight. Some of the effects of that can be to feel wired, anxious and increased heart rate. Moving that energy out of your body can help you feel more like yourself. While you might not feel completely regulated, try to notice the small subtle shifts.

Remember that everything shifts and changes and so will this experience that you’re in! If you are navigating longer periods of stress and would like support, please reach out if you’re interested in how nervous system work can support you.