5 Helpful Tips to Manage Stress

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and we understand that life can get tough at many different stages. Mental Health Awareness Month was created to raise awareness, support those with mental health issues, and reduce the stigma surrounding the topic.

Managing mental health is very nuanced and there are many different levels to helping and improving it. Here at Extension, we focus on stress management, as stress is an issue that comes up frequently in the fast-paced staffing industry. Here are some ways our team loves to wind down and de-stress!

Exercise is an important factor in not only stress management but also your overall health. Cortisol and adrenaline are two of the main stress hormones, and when you have too high of levels of either of these you may experience negative effects on your physical and mental health. Exercising regularly helps to reduce these hormones and also boosts your confidence. We recommend incorporating some form of exercise into your daily routine to help see a difference in your stress levels and overall well-being!

Another effective way to manage stress is to practice meditation and deep breathing. These techniques help you focus better, improve your mood, and also help to make you feel more relaxed. Whenever you feel overly stressed, find a quiet and peaceful place, get comfortable, and close your eyes. Allow yourself to focus on your breathing and on listening to your thoughts and feelings. Practicing this will help to reduce your stress levels and help make you feel calm.

After a day of hard work, logging off of devices can be beneficial for your mental health and stress. Constantly checking emails and/or texts may cause you to feel pressure to always be available. Also, depending on the content you consume, the internet and social media may also be a source of stress and anxiety due to any negative content you might come across. Make sure to prioritize your mental health and to listen to yourself when you think you need to log off.

Sometimes reducing stress can be as simple as getting some fresh air. Going outside and getting a change of scenery can help to make you feel relaxed and give yourself a break from your usual routine. Sunshine can also be effective in reducing stress and improving your mood.

Whether it’s every day or once a week, everyone deserves to treat themselves! Doing something you enjoy increases positive emotions and boosts confidence and self-esteem. Some of our team's favorite things to do for themselves are reading their favorite book, cooking a delicious meal, taking a bubble bath, or spending time with loved ones. We recommend finding time each day to do something you love.

Although these are just five methods to managing stress, there are so many other ways that may be effective for you. Some other ways our team chooses to destress are watching a movie, snuggling up with their pets, listening to music, playing games, and cleaning. Always remember to prioritize your mental health and to take time to do whatever your preferred method is to destress.