5 Stress Management Tips from a Somatic Therapist

Everywhere you turn, you can find a lot of advice about managing stress. Often the list of tips is long or overcomplicated. This can be overwhelming and can add to already high-stress levels. There are some tried and tested things you can do that are really helpful. These five tips are the ones that come up over and over again in my work with clients. 

Be aware of your early stress signals

One of the best ways to deal with stress is to understand how your body and mind react to it. It's important to have a good handle on how you feel in different situations, like when you're calm and when you're stressed. Sometimes the feelings of stress can manifest suddenly, leaving you confused and overwhelmed. By paying attention to your feelings, you can identify when stress is starting to build.

When working with new clients, one of the first things I have them do is track their feelings. I ask them to track how they're feeling emotionally and what sensations they are noticing physically. 

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Acknowledge what's causing the stress

Do you know what's really stressing you out? It's easy to assume that outside circumstances are to blame, but stress is often caused by our actions and behaviors. (Or your inactions…not honoring your boundaries is highly stressful.) By reflecting on your contributions to stressful situations, you can start identifying areas where you can make changes.

Working with boundaries helps us recognize where we end and where others begin. As we learn to realize this, we can get a lot clearer about our behaviors and how they might contribute to our stress levels. Becoming more embodied is an integral part of boundary work. Noticing where we are in space and how we feel in our bodies helps us focus on our actions. This ties nicely with recognizing our reactions to our stress signals…

Prioritize relaxing and resting 

Taking time to relax and engage in stress-busting activities is also essential. Consider activities like listening to music, doing yoga, or meditating. These activities can help to promote relaxation and reduce stress.

I can't stress enough how important it is to pay attention to your sleep habits. Practicing good sleep hygiene - like going to bed and waking up at the same time every day - helps balance your moods. I rarely work with a client without stressing the importance of this (seemingly) simple step. 

Manage your time properly

Having a handle on how your time is spent can be a valuable way to identify your personal "time bandits." Time bandits are people or things that pull you away from your priorities and your values. Setting boundaries (there's that word again) and prioritizing your responsibilities can help to reduce feelings of overwhelm.

Time management with my clients extends from the daily to-do list to finding ways to manage stressful cycle activities and front-load our care for those times. Being as proactive as possible is a great way to insulate yourself from the stress of when life throws a curveball.

Don't be afraid to ask for help

Often if you're stuck in a repetitive cycle, you need an outside perspective. It could be something you find and implement on your own, like a simple hack to help us manage your life and stress differently. Other times you need more guidance. That's when reaching out for a professional's help is useful. 

Coping with stress is a journey. Try implementing these strategies to start taking control of your stress levels and live a more peaceful life. If you need additional support, contact me and schedule a free consultation.