Being prepared for periods of stress can make it easier to get through them. And knowing how to manage our well-being can help us recover after a stressful event. There are things several things we can do to build our resilience against stress. But there are also factors that might make it harder to be resilient, such as experiencing discrimination or lacking support.
What's important is to never sell yourself short. You're stronger than you think. And using the tips below can help you manage stress and build resilience. No, they won't make all the stress in your life disappear, but they can make it easier to get through the stressful situations you encounter.
Look after your well-being.
Taking care of your personal well-being can help you feel more able to manage stress. Different things will work for different people, but these are some ideas you could try:
Be kind to yourself: Learning to be kinder to yourself can help with how you feel in different situations. Try to take breaks in your day for things you enjoy. And reward yourself for your achievements, even if they seem small.
Find time to relax: This might feel hard if you can't do anything to stop a situation that is making you feel stressed. But if you can allow yourself a short break, you may be able to navigate the situation with a clearer mind. See our pages on relaxation for some tips and exercises.
Look after your physical health: Getting enough sleep, staying physically active, and eating a balanced diet (including nutritious snacking) can make stress easier to manage. Stress can sometimes make these things difficult to look after. But even small changes can make a big difference.
Build your support network.
Research shows that having a good support network can help you build resilience and make stress easier to manage. Support from people you trust can help you feel stronger in the face of difficult situations.
Identify your triggers.
Working out what may trigger stress can help you prepare for it. Even if you can't avoid these situations, being prepared can make a big difference. Knowing what you can and cannot change can also help you work out the best way to deal with a stressful environment.
Organize your time.
Some of us may feel stressed because we have a lot of things to manage in our lives. In this case, changing the way we organize our time can help us feel more in control.
Take action in your community.
Sometimes, our stress might be caused or made worse by problems in our community, such as lacking access to services. Acting alongside allies and others who are similarly affected by local issues can help raise awareness, support self-esteem, and make a lasting difference in your community.