PacoTurf

Let’s face it: stress is the uninvited guest at every event in our lives. Whether it’s juggling deadlines, personal commitments, or just surviving rush hour, stress seems to be everywhere. But it doesn’t have to be a constant companion. You can actually tackle it head-on. So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, here’s my take on stress management that could actually make a difference—even in a crazy, chaotic schedule.

What Is Stress Anyway?

First off, let’s talk about stress. Because, honestly, if I hear “stress is bad for your health” one more time, I’ll scream. But seriously, stress is a natural response. It’s that fight or flight thing your body does when you’re in danger—like the time I thought I lost my keys, and they were in my bag the whole time. Classic. It’s also your body’s way of preparing you for challenges. The catch is, constant stress can mess with your health—think sleepless nights, headaches, or even anxiety. So yeah, managing stress is actually a big deal.

Now, let’s get into the stress management tips that helped me (and may help you too) before I lost my mind completely.

Prioritize & Organize (Yes, Really)

I used to just dive into tasks. Like, “I’ll take care of all this and figure it out later.” Spoiler alert: it didn’t work. After a few sleepless nights and half-finished projects, I had to rethink my whole approach. Stress management isn’t about doing it all—it’s about doing what matters first.

Here’s what helped me:

• Lists: I’m a sucker for lists. I make one for everything: groceries, work tasks, the most random things. My planner has a permanent place on my desk, and honestly, it’s the best decision I ever made.
• 80/20 Rule: This one changed the game. The idea is, focus on the 20% of tasks that’ll give you 80% of the results. It sounds a bit “self-help-y,” but trust me, it works.
• Delegating: Y’all, it’s okay to hand stuff off. At work, I started asking for help (yes, that’s how bad I was). If someone else can take something off your plate, let them. It’s not a weakness—it’s smart stress management.

If you’re like me and constantly feel buried under a pile of tasks, this kind of organization can be a game-changer.

Breathe, You’re Fine

I always thought deep breathing was one of those things people say when they don’t know what else to say. “Oh, just breathe!” they’d say, like that’ll fix my deadline stress. But you know what? Turns out they were onto something.

Deep breathing doesn’t just calm you down; it helps reset your body’s stress response. Seriously, every time I get too overwhelmed, I take a few minutes to close my eyes, breathe in through my nose, and then exhale slowly.

Here’s the trick: try breathing in for four seconds, holding for four, then exhaling for six. And boom, you’re on your way to calmness.

By the way, side note: if you’re thinking “this is dumb,” I get it. I was skeptical too. But after my third panic attack in a week, I was willing to try anything. And now? I swear by it.

Exercise: Not Just for “Getting Fit”

So, I’m not saying you need to hit the gym for two hours a day or run a marathon (unless you’re into that). But physical activity—whether it’s a walk, a few stretches, or yoga—can work wonders for your stress management.

I tried everything from running (which was a disaster, by the way—I looked like a dying giraffe trying to run) to yoga (I fell over in my first class, which didn’t do wonders for my self-esteem). But, in the end, I found that something that gets your blood flowing, even if it’s just for 20 minutes, helps a lot.

A walk in the park with a cup of coffee, that’s my thing. Don’t underestimate the power of fresh air. Your mind will thank you.

Sleep—More Than Just a Good Idea

I thought I could get away with 4-5 hours of sleep a night. “I’m productive at night,” I’d tell myself. “I’ll just drink more coffee in the morning.” Yeah, right. That didn’t work. My brain became a foggy mess, and every day felt like I was walking through quicksand.

Good sleep is critical for stress management. And let me tell you, learning that lesson took some hard falls. After a few meltdowns over the smallest things—like, why can’t I find my favorite pen?!—I realized sleep was the missing piece.

I started sticking to a routine. I put away my phone (well, most of the time), and I created a peaceful environment. It’s about consistency. Now, when I get 7-8 hours of sleep, I can actually handle my day without reaching for the coffee by noon.

Eat Right, But Also Don’t Be Hard on Yourself

Ok, so here’s the deal: stress management and food are BFFs. No, I’m not saying you need to be perfect. My first attempt at eating healthy was a disaster (I thought quinoa was the answer to everything—spoiler: it was not). But, generally, what you eat affects how you feel.

• Whole Grains: These are my go-to. Brown rice, oats, quinoa. They’re filling and give me steady energy, which keeps me going through those midday slumps.
• Veggies: I’m the world’s worst gardener—trust me, my first herb garden died faster than my 2020 sourdough starter—RIP, Gary—but if you can eat green veggies like spinach, they’ll help keep your body happy.
• Protein: It’s like fuel for your brain. Fish, chicken, beans—whatever works for you. Your brain needs energy to manage stress. Don’t leave it hungry.

Take a Break, Seriously

This one took me the longest to figure out. I was stuck in the mindset that taking breaks was “wasting time.” Ugh, I was wrong. Overworking isn’t a badge of honor. It’s the opposite.

When you’re stressed, your brain needs breaks. Little breaks. Big breaks. All kinds of breaks. Maybe it’s a quick walk or even just closing your eyes for five minutes. I’ve been known to go hide in the bathroom at work just for five minutes of peace. No shame.

And if you’re like me and forget to take a break, set an alarm. Yes, I have a “take-a-break” alarm that goes off every hour. At first, I was like, “Ugh, no way. That’s too much.” But guess what? It helps.

Lean on Your People

Having a support system is a must for stress management. Whether it’s your friends, family, or a therapist, you can’t handle everything alone. Sometimes you need to vent or just get a little advice.

I remember calling my best friend after a stressful week, and all she did was listen. I felt better instantly. She didn’t fix my problems, but she let me get everything off my chest. And that’s key to managing stress—you don’t always need solutions, just support.

Learn to Say No

This was a tough one for me. I used to think saying no meant I was lazy or letting people down. But that’s a lie. Saying no is a form of self-care. If you’re already overloaded, adding more is just setting yourself up for burnout.

Here’s what I learned: You don’t have to say yes to everything. It’s okay to tell people, “I’m not able to do that right now.” You’ll feel better for it. Trust me on this one.

Do What You Love

Okay, this is where I can really shine: finding hobbies you actually enjoy. I used to be all “I don’t have time for that!”—but guess what? If you love it, it’s worth making time for.

For me, it’s cooking (yes, cooking can be a stress reliever—shocking, right?). For you, it could be reading, painting, or even knitting. Find something you can lose yourself in for a while. It’s like hitting the reset button for your mind.

Final Thoughts (I Promise)

In the end, stress management is all about balance. I’ve tried a lot of these tips the hard way—trust me. But finding what works for you is half the battle. Whether it’s breathing, exercising, or leaning on your friends, take control of your stress. You can’t get rid of it entirely, but you sure as hell can learn to manage it better.

So, here’s my advice: don’t wait until you’re drowning in deadlines to start managing stress. Start now. It’ll make life a lot easier.