“Stress is a reality for all of us. But it doesn’t have to lead to overwhelm. There are many ways to reduce the amount of stress in your life — and to revise how you react to it.
Below, four clinicians share their best tips for shrinking stress and anxiety.
1. Exercise. ‘Do anything that allows energy to be expressed,’ said Ryan Howes, Ph.D, a clinical psychologist in Pasadena, California. He suggested everything from walking to running to lifting to playing dodge ball.
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7. Detach from the situation. This means being present without experiencing emotional overwhelm, said Joyce Marter, LCPC, psychotherapist and owner of Urban Balance. She gave the example of an emergency room doctor. ‘He or she is present and functioning but is able to set aside the emotional responses that would render him or her unable to function in times of stress or crisis,’ she said.
Focusing on someone else can help you gain awareness, she said. ‘Being of service to somebody else — by listening, helping or volunteering — can get you out of your own head and help you view your stressors with greater perspective and clarity.’”
