When stresses happen everywhere, in life, in the news, and at home, how you cope and handle your stress level is essential.

Why is managing stress so important?

Stress puts a lot on the body and the brain, causing mood, behavioral, and health impacts that are felt long after the initial stress is gone.

When we’re stressed, the brain releases the hormone Cortisol. In small doses, cortisol floods the body with extra sugars to boost energy and limits non-essential functions that aren’t as important in the fight-or-flight moment.

Over a duration of time, excessive amounts of sugars in the bloodstream can impact appetite, hydration, and sleep, damage blood vessels, cause injury to the nervous system, and maybe cause heart and vascular disease.

They are the leading causes of heart attacks and strokes.

Even if you don’t feel stressed, there is probably stress in your life. However, you could be suppressing your stress, which may manifest in anxiety, restlessness, boredom, and other ways.

So what can be done about how to manage stress?

Sleep

Sleep provides many benefits to the body and mind, but none are as important as managing stress.

Getting enough sleep is essential. Creating a better sleep environment will help reduce the risks associated with hypertension, sleep disorders, and some cognitive issues such as anxiety and depression.

Getting enough sleep will help you feel energetic and refreshed, boost your moods, and elevate your cognitive functions.

Sleep also impacts the likelihood and health risks such as heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, poor mental health, and potentially severe health disorders.

Learning to manage sleep and getting a quality amount of sleep (somewhere between 7-9 hours a day) is crucial for you to manage your stress and overall health.

Changing your sleep routines to establish a consistent bedtime and wake-up time is the first step toward getting enough quality sleep. Creating a sleep routine is ideal, one that focuses on sleeping at the same time every night, a calm, dark sleeping environment, and a comfortable mattress.

Sleep Aids And Supplements

Sometimes you need a little help in starting a new sleep routine. In that case, you may consider holistic sleep aids and supplements such as;

● Melatonin
● Chamomile Tea
● CBD supplements and calm CBD gummies
● Valerian Root
● Magnesium
● Passionflower

If sleep aids aren’t something you’re interested in, then finding a safe outlet for your stress and calming your body and mind is essential. For example, you could choose between physical or creative activities that challenge, inspire and tire you.

Physical Activities

One of the best ways to create a sleep routine is to have a physical outlet like exercise. Physical activity can take on various forms, from vigorous exercise to meditation.

Spending 20-45 minutes a day of physical activity boosts your immune system, lowers stress, and helps regulate better sleep.

If you need suggestions or ideas for physical activities, you can pursue the following:
● Weight lifting
● Running, swimming, walking, biking, or biking
● Yoga and meditation
● Pilates

Creative Activities

A creative outlet, such as art or doing something with your hands, is a great stress reliever. Even a simple activity such as coloring is shown to exponentially reduce stress levels, allowing a person to relax, focus, and improve memory and hand-eye coordination.

Art and creative activities give you focus and an emotional outlet. Additionally, research shows that art reduces anxiety, helps emotional regulation, and acts as a release for stress.

Whether you’re dealing with the stress of inflation, parenting, geopolitical events, or even social events in your home and community, art provides a great coping mechanism to deal with these external stresses.

Creative activities help you;

● Take your mind off the stress
● It functions similarly to meditation; it lowers the heart rate, relaxes the mind, and regulates emotions.
● Acts as a form of long-term self-care, especially when practiced daily
● Improves memory, comprehension, and problem solving
● It gives you focus and a sense of accomplishment, which boosts self-confidence

Learning to recognize the causes of stress in your life and having healthy coping mechanisms is crucial for your long-term health and overall happiness. Getting enough sleep, exercising, and having some physical or creative outlet are the foundations for better living.