Sometimes it seems like we can’t escape stress no matter how hard we try. It follows us from home to school, our places of employment, and can impact our mental health. Unfortunately, there is no way to eliminate stress from our lives, but there are ways to manage it so that it doesn’t become overwhelming or affect us to the point where we can’t function.

Although some stress is unavoidable and unpredictable, there are ways to limit the amount of stress you have at home, school, and work.

One of the most effective ways to reduce your stress at home is to trim your schedule. Limit the number of projects or commitments you take on at once. It’s ok to say “no” to things.

For many people, cutting down on clutter removes a lot of stress. Developing a system or a “family command center” that houses a schedule and essential things like keys, cell phone chargers, and a place to write reminders can eliminate the need to scramble around at the last minute to find items and remember appointments.

It’s important to have a designated space to go when we need to unwind. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just a particular room or part of a room that enables you to relax.

Your home’s physical environment can contribute to stress, and implementing cool and calming colors can help. Light blues, soft greens, and other neutral colors are known to reduce stress. Natural elements such as stone, wood, and plants can have a soothing effect, along with lamps that have dimmer switches.

When students get stressed, more than just their mental health is affected. They can develop physical symptoms like headaches or stomach aches, and their grades can slip. Bad grades can cause even more stress, creating a vicious cycle. Students should be encouraged to communicate when they are tired, anxious, or overwhelmed. This can be harder for older kids who live on a college campus and may be far away from their primary support group of family and friends. If you have a child in college, make sure they’re aware of resources around campus they can use if they are struggling.

Students can also relieve stress by keeping physically active, even just walking around campus or their neighborhood. There are many options for mindfulness and relaxation exercises available through apps on smartphones today.

Just like at home, keeping as organized as possible can reduce stress significantly. Keeping a planner or calendar app to track assignments and organizing your schoolwork in folders or binders eliminates the stress of digging through a backpack or dorm room to find what you need.

A huge contributing factor of stress in the workplace is when employees aren’t clear about expectations. Maybe the boss gave vague directions, or the employee didn’t clarify what a project entailed. If the requirements for a job role keep changing with minimal notice, that is also a huge source of stress.

It’s ok to speak up and ask questions of your supervisor. It saves time and frustration when everyone understands directions and expectations.

Workplace gossip can also cause a lot of stress. It’s best to avoid discussions that center around touchy subjects like politics and religion. If a personal conflict arises, make sure it’s dealt with quickly and appropriately by going through the proper channels.

Organization is just as important at work as it is at home and school. Keeping a clean work area can minimize the adverse effects of clutter and increase efficiency.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with stress and finding it hard to function in your daily life, give Serene Health a call or visit our website. We offer a variety of behavioral health and mental health services. We also have flexible appointments available through our Telehealth platform so that you can speak to a therapist online from the location of your choice. Call 844-737-3638 or visit us at www.serenehealth.com to schedule an appointment.