7 Stress Management Tips for Women

Maybe you are sandwiched between caring for aging parents and your younger children. Or, you are facing a major life change, such as the death of a loved one or divorce. Stress can creep up on you and lead to feelings of anxiety. Whether it is the holidays, back-to-school time, or a busy season at work, every woman needs stress management tips.

Stress response is not the enemy

The stress response is not the enemy. It was created to protect us from danger. We are prepared to react quickly with the fight-or-flight response. This was important long ago when our ancestors had to fight off wild animals or learn to recognize situations where they had to flee to keep from being killed.

Unfortunately, our bodies react the same way over tense situations and worry. Think of any problem that causes rapid heart rate. Your adrenals respond the same whether there is a snake in your home or you cannot make your mortgage payment this month.

Stress is inevitable, but you must learn how to reduce its effects on your mind and body. For example, too much stress increases cortisol, and an overabundance of the hormone can cause physical problems, including weight gain and chronic inflammation.

7 Stress Management Tips

You can lower the effects of stress by engaging in stress management tips. These are strategies and small changes you can add to your life. Most of these are small tweaks that will benefit your physical or mental health and how you view a problem.

Some stress management tips, like conflict resolution and budget finance, will take time to learn, but they will become invaluable once you have practiced the basic components.

Read the following stress management tips and pick a few to try over the next month. Then, give each tip enough time to see how it affects your stress levels before moving on.

1. Eat more healthy foods.

Are you aware that the types of food you eat can determine your mood? For example, you think more clearly and have more balanced emotions when you eat nutritious, vitamin-rich food. When you eat simple carbohydrates, fatty foods, and sugar-laden treats, your blood sugar increases and decreases dramatically like a roller coaster, affecting your mood and emotions.

Likewise, issues with food or an eating disorder can affect how you perceive yourself, leading to self-loathing and low self-esteem. Contact a counselor today if you struggle with an eating disorder or binges.

Choose complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, fresh vegetables and fruits, and healthy fats over sugary and fatty foods and drinks.

2. Make exercise a priority.

When you are stressed, the last thing you probably want to do is exercise. But exercise releases endorphins that not only leave you feeling good but lessen tension throughout the body. It also increases your confidence and provides physical benefits.

If you have not worked out in a while, consult your physician for clearance and any guidelines you should follow. Start slow with low-impact activities, such as walking or cycling. Yoga and Pilates are excellent for lowering stress, increasing flexibility, and slowly building strength. To start, choose an activity or streaming workout for 15 to 20 minutes and increase the time when you feel confident in your abilities.

3. Rest for one day.

We think we are being productive when we don’t take breaks, but in reality, the stress continues to mount. There is a reason God commanded us to rest each week, spend the day worshiping Him, and cease work. That one day puts our minds on God. We spend time communing with God and resting so that we are ready to tackle a new week.

Are you working seven days a week, feeling like you are on a hamster wheel and going nowhere, never getting caught up on responsibilities? Even if your workload is enormous, taking a much-needed rest day can keep you from burning out in your job and your responsibilities at home. Whether you celebrate the Sabbath on Saturday or Sunday, try to relax and rest from your routine. If you work every weekend, can you take a personal day off every once in a while? Your mental health (and your family) will thank you.

4. Dump toxic relationships.

Toxic relationships add to your stress. You may have family or friends that give back-handed compliments, “borrow” your resources, or are just plain mean. These people ignore any boundaries placed and get upset when you assert those boundaries. They might accuse you of being selfish or holding a grudge.

Instead, you are protecting and honoring yourself by sticking to the boundaries that you have set. You are telling the world and yourself that you will not tolerate certain behaviors. If you have people who continuously disrespect you, consider distancing yourself from those people. You do not need to be insulting; just take a step back.

If it is a toxic family member, and you cannot distance yourself from this person, try to discuss with them how they are hurting you. If they still engage in the behavior, consult with a counselor. You may want to consider family therapy.

5. Learn conflict resolution.

Want to lower stress? Learn how to communicate with others and resolve conflict effectively. Many misunderstandings could dissolve quickly if one of the participants knew conflict resolution strategies.

A counselor can teach you techniques and role-play as you practice the skill. You can also find videos and courses online. Check with your company, as many corporations provide training in communication, conflict, and other skills to help you on the job.

6. Take control of your finances.

Are you stressed about finances? Many people are, especially in an uncertain economy. But you can decrease some of that stress by being in the know. It may seem easier to let someone else manage the money, but avoidance is a coping mechanism that eventually catches up to you.

Instead, make it a priority to know what income and expenses are moving through your household. What can you cut back on? Then, create a budget and stick to it. There are various budget plans that you can find online, including the Zero Budget, where you assign amounts to all expenses down to the dollar. Or you can pay yourself first by allotting money to savings and investments before costs.

Whatever budget plan you use, remember that controlling your finances provides you with freedom and breathing room because you avoid unnecessary and surprise spending.

7. Laugh every day.

Laughter is good medicine, and you could use a hefty dose after a long day. A good belly laugh does wonders for lowering stress levels. Have you ever laughed so hard that your cheeks hurt? When you finally caught your breath, did you feel the “buzz” from the release of endorphins? For a little while, you can forget your troubles.

Consider starting your day with a laugh. For example, listen to a comedy podcast on the commute to work or watch a few clips of a favorite show. Or spend an hour every evening watching a comedy show or movie. If you have a friend who always leaves you in stitches, give them a call more often.

Take breaks throughout the day to read something funny, like a romantic comedy, or rewatch some classic comedians. When was the last time you enjoyed stand-up comedy? Many famous comedic actors got their start with televised stand-up comedy specials.

Is your stress too much?

Are you using stress management tips but still feel anxious? Are you on the verge of panic attacks? It may be time to consider recruiting the help of a counselor. At Keller Christian Counseling in Texas, your counselor can assist you in getting to the bottom of your anxiety and teach you techniques for lowering your stress levels.

Contact our office today at Keller Christian Counseling in Texas to schedule an appointment with a Christian counselor. We would love to help you learn how to manage stress while continuing to enjoy your life.