Okay, let’s talk about stress. You know that feeling when your shoulders are tight, your jaw is clenched, and you feel like you’re drowning in your own to-do list? Yeah, that feeling. We all get it, and it sucks.

I used to think stress was just part of being an adult. Like paying taxes or pretending to like small talk. But then I realized something: some people seem way more chill than others, even when life gets crazy. What’s their secret?

Turns out, they’re not superhuman. They just know a few tricks that actually work. And the best part? Most of this stuff is free and doesn’t take much time.

Start With the Obvious Stuff

First, figure out what’s making you crazy. Sometimes it’s clear – like your boss breathing down your neck or your kids fighting every morning. But sometimes the real culprits are sneaky.

For me, it was my phone. Every time I checked the news or scrolled through social media, I felt worse. But I kept doing it! Once I noticed this pattern, I started leaving my phone in another room when I got home. Instant improvement.

Try paying attention to when you feel most stressed. Is it Sunday night? After talking to certain people? When you look at your credit card bill? Once you know your triggers, you can start dealing with them.

The Magic of Breathing (No, Really)

I know, I know. Everyone says “just breathe” and it sounds stupid. But here’s the thing – when you’re stressed, you basically forget how to breathe properly. You take these tiny, shallow breaths that make everything worse.

Here’s what I do: breathe in through your nose like you’re smelling something good. Count to four. Then breathe out through your mouth like you’re blowing out birthday candles. Count to six. Do this a few times.

I started doing this in the car before walking into stressful situations. Before parent-teacher conferences, before asking for a raise, before family dinners. It’s like a superpower nobody talks about. Pairing this simple habit with a maca supplement Amazon option can further support calm energy and emotional balance in high-pressure moments.

Move Around (Don’t Overthink It)

Your body gets all wound up when you’re stressed. It’s like you’re ready to run from a tiger, but the tiger is actually just your email inbox. Moving around helps burn off that jumpy energy.

You don’t need a gym membership or fancy workout gear. I pace around my backyard while talking on the phone. My sister does jumping jacks during TV commercials. My dad goes up and down the stairs in his apartment building when he’s anxious.

Find something that feels good and doesn’t make you sweat through your work clothes. Even stretching your arms over your head helps.

Sleep Is Not Optional

When life gets crazy, we stay up late trying to catch up or worrying about tomorrow. Then we’re tired and grumpy, which makes everything feel harder. It’s a bad cycle.

I learned this the hard way when my daughter was having trouble in school. I was staying up until midnight researching tutors and reading parenting articles. I was exhausted, which made me more stressed, which made me stay up later. Dumb.

Now I have a rule: whatever I’m worrying about will still be there in the morning, but I’ll be better able to handle it if I’m not running on three hours of sleep.

Put your phone in another room. Your bedroom should be for sleeping, not for scrolling through work emails or watching videos about cats.

Say No Like You Mean It

This one’s huge. We say yes to everything because we don’t want to disappoint people or seem lazy. But here’s what happens: you end up doing ten things badly instead of doing three things well.

Last year, I was on the PTA, coaching my son’s soccer team, volunteering at the food bank, and trying to plan my friend’s baby shower. I was miserable and doing a terrible job at all of it.

Now I have a rule: I can only commit to one big thing at a time. When people ask me to do stuff, I say “I’m honored you thought of me, but I can’t give it the attention it deserves right now.”

Most people totally understand. And if they don’t, that’s their problem, not yours.

Have a Go-To Stress Plan

When stress hits hard, your brain goes blank. That’s why you need a plan ready to go. Think of it like a first-aid kit, but for your feelings.

Mine is simple: hot shower, cup of tea, and calling my mom. Sometimes I add chocolate. When I’m really losing it, I do all of these things in order. It’s like hitting a reset button.

My friend Mike goes for a drive and listens to music really loud. My neighbor waters her plants. My coworker does crossword puzzles. Find what works for you and keep it simple.

Talk to Someone (Anyone)

Keeping stress bottled up is like shaking a soda can. Eventually, it’s going to explode all over someone, probably someone you actually like.

Find one person you can complain to without feeling guilty. It could be your spouse, your best friend, your sister, or even your dog (dogs are excellent listeners and never judge).

Sometimes just saying “I’m really stressed about this stupid work thing” makes it feel smaller. Don’t try to solve everything – just get it out of your head.

Stop Being Mean to Yourself

We talk to ourselves in ways we’d never talk to our friends. “You’re so stupid for feeling stressed.” “Everyone else can handle this better than you.” “You should be stronger.”

Would you tell your best friend they’re stupid for feeling overwhelmed? Of course not. So stop saying it to yourself.

When I catch myself being harsh, I try to imagine what I’d tell my daughter if she was feeling the same way. Usually, it’s something like “This is hard stuff, and you’re doing your best.”

Start Small

Don’t try to fix everything at once. That’s just more stress. Pick one thing from this list – maybe the breathing thing or going to bed 30 minutes earlier – and try it for a week.

Once that feels normal, add something else. Baby steps are still steps.

The Real Truth

Here’s what nobody tells you: you’re never going to eliminate stress completely. Life is messy and unpredictable, and sometimes everything falls apart at once. That’s normal.

The goal isn’t to never feel stressed. It’s to get better at bouncing back when you do. It’s like building muscle – the more you practice these things, the stronger you get.

And remember, asking for help isn’t giving up. It’s being smart. Whether that’s talking to a friend, seeing a therapist, or just admitting to your family that you’re having a rough time.

You’ve got this. Really. Start with just one small thing today.

My mission is to help people develop stronger self-awareness and deepen their relationships by providing a unique sticker club, powerful courses, and a guided journal that promotes personal and emotional growth.