Beat Stress with These Top Tips

If you’ve ever visited with a psychologist or therapist in Highlands Ranch, you know that we meet with people who are struggling with all sorts of different challenges. Sometimes people come in with specific concerns or life issues that they would like to work on, other times, they come with a simple request: “I’m stressed and I want it to stop!”

Stress is a normal part of life, and I have yet to meet anyone who has never experienced stress. Stress helps us to identify the need to take action, whether that is getting that big project done at work before your boss gets angry, helping your kids learn and behave effectively at school, or dealing with your romantic partner. However, if your life contains too much stress, you may find yourself becoming irritable, angry, and having more health problems! Fortunately, working with a psychologist in Littleton can help you to fix these stress areas and feel better. While you’re waiting for your next appointment, try these top stress busters.

1. Get moving! If your idea of exercise is the long walk to the garage to get into the car, you’re probably not getting enough exercise. Walking for just 30 minutes a day has been found to improve mood and relieve stress. It can also help you to sleep.
2. Budget your energy. You make a budget for your finances, why not your valuable time and energy? Lists or planners can be helpful for this, because you can write down what you need to do each day—and what you would “like” to do, if you have time. Focus on getting the needs done, and don’t feel guilty if you skip the “like to do” section—if you have budgeted your time and energy well, this will fit in another day.
3. Read a book. The act of reading promotes quiet, calm, and focus—all stress-relieving things! Just 20 minutes of quiet reading can lower stress by up to 68%, making this classic leisure activity even more effective than listening to music or drinking a hot cup of tea.
4. Embrace nothingness. Many American households operate like Times Square—always on, always bright, and always loud! If you feel like you can’t get a moment of peace, it’s probably because you can’t. Change that by dedicating at least 10 minutes a day to quiet. Whether you do this at night after the kids have gone to bed or make it a family tradition, taking just a few minutes to relax, breath, and think without the constant stimulation can reduce stress effectively.

If you have tried these things and they don’t work, or if you feel like your stress is unmanageable on your own, contact a psychologist. Dr. Lazarus and Zeke, his trained therapy dog, provide animal assisted therapy for clients in Littleton and Highlands Ranch. You can live a relaxing, fulfilling life in spite of stress!