Learning How to Live with Stress

April has been declared ‘National Stress Awareness Month,’ dedicating a whole 30 days to adopting and practicing ways to manage all of the stress in our lives. As big people in a big world, we understand that there’s no way to get rid of stress all together. In realizing that our control lies not in eliminating stress, but in managing it, we instill within ourselves the power to change how we react to the things we cannot change. 

Let’s be real, the adult world presents an endless amount of things to be stressed about: money, bills, work- even the things that are supposed to bring us joy like our children and our marriages can be sources of stress. Whether it be watching TV, talking it out with a loved one or shouting the occasional profanity, strategies for managing stress are incorporated into our daily lives. 

While some of us have picked up positive ways to manage our stress, others find it hard to resist comfortable habits that provide fast, familiar results, but aren’t always the most effective. Changing the way we deal with stress doesn’t always require drastic changes. Switching up little parts of your daily routine can go a long way when it comes to living a more peaceful life. We’re no experts, but here are some of the Shop C. Miller team’s go-to stress management strategies. 

Look Within

Much of our perspective on and reaction to adversity in our life can be changed through a visualization and manifestation of the things that make us happy, calm and fulfilled. The best thing we can do for ourselves in times of stress is listen to what our bodies and minds are telling us about what makes us feel good and what doesn’t. Once we’ve gotten the signal, we can start to assess how our reaction contributes to those feelings of stress. 

Redefine your Definition of Relaxation

The curse of complacency is likely to set in when one becomes too comfortable with a routine that isn’t serving them. When we stop striving for contentment, we begin to accept less than we deserve. If you find that your usual strategies for managing stress just aren’t working anymore, it might be time to switch things up. Our reliance on vices like addiction, sex and even shopping to minimize our stress only scratch the surface, distracting us from getting to the root of our problems. Next time you find yourself opening that bottle of wine or your laptop for some retail therapy, instead open your front door and take a walk. Open that book you’ve been meaning to read. Open a journal and write down everything you feel. 

Don’t have one? We’ve got you covered. Whether you’re looking for a blank space to jot down thoughts big and small, or need a guide to building your confidence, incorporating our journals into your stress management routine has the potential to change your life. 

Back to the Basics

With the hustle and bustle of daily life, we sometimes forget to take care of our most basic needs. Getting a full night’s rest, eating enough to nourish our bodies and exercising regularly are all critical to managing stress in our lives, and often go overlooked. Sometimes (especially as women) we neglect these needs in pursuit of fulfilling the needs of others, but we cannot effectively care for others if we do not care for ourselves.

It’s Okay if it Takes a Village

One of the most common reactions to stressful situations is self-isolation. It’s easy to feel like a burden when asking for help, especially when we’re so used to helping others. While self-reliance is an important trait, it’s equally important to know when it's time to ask for help. Even if we aren’t sure exactly what we need, sometimes it's helpful to just let it out. We wouldn’t hesitate to help a loved one in need, we have to start feeling more comfortable with needing our loved ones. 

It can be hard to talk to the people we are closest to. If traditional counseling sounds intimidating, try researching other methods like music, art, or nature therapy! In this day and age, it's never been easier to seek professional mental help, and there’s no shame in it either. Happiness and peace of mind is quite literally at our fingertips, with apps to help you with anything from mindfulness to nutrition to actual counseling services. 

Wishing you a confident, happy, stress-free life.

Xo,