Let’s face it: stress is an unavoidable part of life. Whether it’s work deadlines, personal challenges, or just the weight of the world, stress can negatively impact your physical and mental health. But there are ways to deal with it without running off to live in the woods (unless that’s your thing, no judgment).
In light of Stress Awareness Month, here are ten easy ways to manage stress and feel a bit more like yourself again:
1. Move Your Body (Even a Little)
You don’t need to be a gym rat. A 10-minute walk, some light stretching, or dancing around in your kitchen to your favorite playlist can work wonders. Movement helps release those feel-good chemicals like endorphins—and remember what Elle Woods said about endorphins: “Endorphins make you happy!” (Legally Blonde reference.)
2. Breathe Deeply and Slowly
Sounds simple, right? But deep, intentional breathing (think: in for 4, hold for 4, out for 4) can actually signal your body to calm down. It’s like hitting the pause button on chaos. Incorporating a few minutes of focused breathing daily can help reduce anxiety and improve concentration. You can take it a step further and meditate. There are several apps nowadays, like Headspace or Calm, that notify you when it’s time to take a break, and will guide you through breathing and meditation practices for a short time.
3. Write It Out
Putting your thoughts on paper can help untangle them. It doesn’t need to be pretty—just write whatever’s on your mind. Journaling helps clarify thoughts, process difficult experiences, and identify patterns that may be contributing to stress. It’s great practice as well to have a daily list of things you’re grateful for: when you focus on the positive things in your life, you essentially minimize the negative things, which can help to lessen or eliminate stress altogether.
4. Limit the Doomscroll
Yes, we all do it. But scrolling endlessly through bad news and filtered perfection can seriously spike stress levels. Set a timer or take a social media break now and then. You can adjust your social apps’ settings to track how long you’ve been on the app which will give you a warning when your time limit is up. That, or you can set an alarm at the hour you should completely get off your phone and do other things, like reading. Your brain will thank you.
5. Talk to Someone (Seriously, Talk)
Venting to a family member or friend, chatting with a therapist, or even texting a support line can lift a lot of weight. You’re not meant to carry everything alone. Online therapy like BetterHelp is an easy way to talk to a certified therapist on your own time, so you can schedule it around work and other activities. Plus, it can be covered by your insurance if you look into it.
ALSO READ: What Wicked Teaches Us About Female Friendships
6. Eat a Snack or Take a Bath
Yes, there is such a thing as stress eating, and no, we’re not promoting that, but having a small bite of chocolate or some cheese can boost serotonin levels. Taking a nice, relaxing bath and lighting some candles is a great way to cope with stress as well.
7. Say “No” Without the Guilt
Overcommitting is a fast track to burnout. It’s okay to decline plans, turn down extra work, or back out when you’re overwhelmed. Protecting your peace isn’t selfish—it’s necessary.
8. Get Outside
Nature is therapy. Even five minutes in the sun or under a tree can help ground you. Blocking off time during the day just to take a walk, bike ride, or sit outside (no phones or work allowed) can stabilize your mood and also give you some much-needed vitamin D. People are not meant to be chained to a desk all day, so getting outside is a great way to cope with stress.
9. Do Something Just for Fun
Not for productivity. Not for the ‘gram. Just because you enjoy it. Bake cookies. Paint terribly. Watch cartoons. Let yourself be playful without a purpose. Society has conditioned us to believe that everything we do either has to be perfect or productive. Guess what? Play is productive. It gets the right side of your brain going and allows you to try new things without the pressure.
10. Rest Isn’t Lazy, It’s Medicine
Sleep isn’t a luxury—it’s a need. And rest isn’t just sleeping; it’s also doing nothing, lying down for a bit, or zoning out with a comfort show. Rest resets your nervous system, plain and simple. They call it “rotting” nowadays, or “vegging out” (might be more of a Millennial term), but you’re doing anything but. You’re allowing your body to recharge and your mind to reset. Rest is good.
You don’t need to have it all together. Coping with stress isn’t about being perfect or even quitting—it’s about finding what soothes you and making space for it. Be kind to yourself. Life’s hard enough without you beating yourself up. So, set some boundaries and push things to the side when you need to. Remember, you can only do your best when you’re at your best.
Looking for more stress relief tips, self-care ideas, or health advice? Dive into our full library of blogs for women’s well-being.
