Healthy Ways to Cope with Stress Stop watching, reading, or listening to news, including those that appear on social media. Connect with your community or religious organizations, avoid drugs and alcohol. Moving the body regularly balances the nervous system and increases blood circulation, helping to eliminate stress hormones. Even a 20-minute daily walk makes a difference.
Beyond taking a responsible approach and a positive attitude, you can reduce stress in your life by taking time for yourself. Don't get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that you forget to attend to your own needs. Taking care of yourself is a necessity, not a luxury. If you make time for fun and relaxation on a regular basis, you'll be in a better position to handle life's stressors.
Include rest and relaxation in your daily schedule. Don't let other obligations invade you. This is your time to take a break from all the responsibilities and recharge your batteries. Do something you enjoy every day.
Make time for leisure activities that bring you joy, whether it's stargazing, playing the piano, or working on your bike. A stress diary can help you identify common stressors in your life and how you handle them. In addition, you'll be tempted to avoid or reduce all the healthy things you should do to manage stress, such as socializing and getting enough sleep. Fortunately, there are plenty of evidence-based tools to help combat the negative effects of stress in a healthy way.
Of course, it's not always realistic to have a friend nearby to lean on when you're feeling overwhelmed by stress, but building and maintaining a network of close friends can improve your resilience to life's stressors.
