How to Proactively Tackle Stress Before It Takes Over

By Marina Khidekel, Chief Content Officer at Thrive Global

When it comes to stress, prevention is critical. Instead of allowing stress to accumulate and lead to burnout, we must equip ourselves with practical tools to stay ahead of it. We reached out to our Thrive community and gathered their valuable insights on how they proactively address stress before it becomes overwhelming. Consider trying these strategies:

1. Plan your day in advance: Take a few minutes each evening to visualize and list your next day’s tasks. This exercise helps eliminate the feeling of forgetting essential responsibilities and allows room for adjustments if needed.
2. Practice the 3-3-5 breathing exercises: Implement this simple yet powerful technique in your daily routine. Breathe through your nose for three counts, hold for three counts, and exhale through your mouth for five counts. It can be done anywhere, anytime, and instantly relaxes the body.
3. Perform a body scan: Close your eyes and pay attention to your body’s sensations, mainly focusing on areas where you typically carry stress, such as the gut and neck. Acknowledging tension allows you to take a break and address it when necessary.
4. Shift your focus to solutions: Instead of dwelling on problems, redirect your attention to finding solutions. By doing so, you remain present and approach challenges with hope, making a significant difference in managing stress.
5. Schedule breaks in your day: Carve out pockets of quiet downtime in your busy schedule. Engage in relaxation activities, such as sipping mint tea, practicing mindful breathing, or playing a mindless video game. These breaks offer rejuvenation and help maintain a calm and balanced mindset.
6. Write out your weekly meetings: Organize your week by jotting down your appointments on paper, distinguishing between active and no-action sessions. This visual representation helps identify time slots for focusing on projects and strategic thinking.
7. Connect with nature: Take a moment to step outside and soak in the beauty of the natural world. Whether visiting the beach or a walk in the park, spending time outdoors helps alleviate stress and provides a refreshing perspective.
8. Engage in self-care activities: Allocate time for self-care rituals that nourish your mind and body. Meditation, exercise, walking your dog, or reading can promote a clear and positive mindset, making stressful situations more manageable.
9. Get a haircut or indulge in self-care tasks: Sometimes, a small act, like getting a haircut, can provide a sense of accomplishment and control amidst the chaos. It offers a break from the routine and allows for a conversation with someone objective, creating a positive and rejuvenating experience.
10. Seek your advice: When facing stress, ask yourself how you would advise a friend dealing with a similar problem. This exercise shifts your perspective and empowers you to tackle challenges with a list of potential solutions proactively.

Taking proactive steps to address stress can significantly improve your overall well-being. Incorporate these strategies into your daily routine and experience the positive impact on your stress levels and resilience.