Recognise and name your stress: identifying stress early gives you a chance to do something about it before it spirals, because awareness is the first step to change.
Prioritise what actually matters: not all stress is created equal. Some things genuinely need your attention, while others… not so much. If everything feels urgent, take a step back and ask yourself: “Is this really important? Does this actually need to be done right now?” Chances are, you’re carrying stress over things that don’t deserve that much space in your mind.
Control what you can, let go of what you cannot: a huge source of stress is getting caught up in things that are completely outside of your control — the more you focus on things you can’t change, the more powerless you feel.
Move your body: physical movement is one of the fastest ways to reset your stress levels.
Breathe like you mean it: stress often makes your breathing shallow and fast, which sends a signal to your nervous system that you’re in danger (even when you’re not).
Talk it out: stress thrives in isolation, so keeping everything bottled up makes it worse… whereas talking things through — whether that’s with a friend, family member, or therapist — can lighten the load.
Do something completely different: when stress takes over, your brain fixates on the problem. Breaking the cycle by doing something totally unrelated helps to shift your mindset and reset your nervous system.
Change your environment: a change of scenery can shift your mindset and create psychological distance from stress.
