Try these quick and easy ways to build resilience and relieve stress.
STRATEGIES FOR MANAGING DAILY STRESS
Sing a song. Perhaps during your morning shower or while you’re driving to school, belt out a high-energy song that you find empowering. My latest favorite is Pink’s “I Am Here.” This tactic works because it makes you use your full lung capacity, and breathing deep is energizing—and there’s research on the positive impact of listening to music. Time needed: four minutes.
Eat a handful of almonds or a high-quality protein like a protein bar. Around mid-morning, our blood sugar drops and we can start feeling physically tired. Protein helps to level out our emotions. Time needed: two minutes.
Take 10 deep, slow breaths. Close your eyes, sit with your feet planted on the ground, and focus on the sensation of air going in and out of your nose. Say to yourself, “Breathing in, breathing out.” Make your exhale longer than your inhale. Breathe at recess or lunch time, or before school. Just one minute of mindful breathing will help you feel calmer and more grounded. Time needed: one minute.
Describe three good things. Record a voice memo at the end of the day in which you describe three good things that happened and your role in making them happen. This will remind you of your power to influence your life. Burnout is often a symptom of feeling deeply disempowered—remind yourself of your ability to make choices every day. Time needed: three minutes.
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