Stress, oh how I’m always stressed and over the smallest things. It most likely started in college, since that’s when I was hit with a taste of adulting. There was no more turning to mommy and daddy, except for the small things and even that was a stretch. Stress really didn’t start to effect me until I got pregnant and started to wonder how I was going to pay for everything. Money has probably always been my biggest trigger. I’m great with budgeting but it’s the one thing I’ve always worried about no matter how much or how little I have. Still some how I manage to get by.

Some may wonder, how do you know if you are going through stress? Well, below I’ll give you a few signs of stress then I’ll give you some tips to relieve it. But first, you should know stress can come in four forms; cognitive, physical, emotional and behavioral. I will list a few from each category.

Cognitive

• Constant worrying (my stress always comes in this form)
• The inability to concentrate (Yup Thats Me TOO)
• All your thoughts become negative. You never see the positive.

Physical

• Headaches – I had to put this first on the list because I constantly suffer from them, especially when I’m worried and thinking negatively.
• Changes in your weight (gaining or losing) without change in diet
• Hair Loss
• Twitching – something I’ve noticed in my eyes when suffering from stress

Emotional

• Moodiness
• Feeling overwhelmed

Behavioral

• A change in your sleep pattern
• An increase in your use of alcohol or drugs
• Isolating yourself from the world
• Changes in appetite

And those are just a few of the symptoms, as there were 65 listed that relate to stress. A lot of them I found I’ve experienced during my moments of feeling stressed. So, now that we know a few of the signs, what are some of the ways to deal with it. Below I’m going to list a few things that help me.

Stress Relievers:

1. Essential Oils: I recently bought an oil diffuser and I love it. If you’re looking for some peace and tranquility I would definitely get one. Some of the oils I love using are Lavender, which is known to be calming and can help with depression and tension. I’ve also tried citrus, which is also good for depression as it is an uplifting essential oil.
2. Exercise: I tend to use this method more for anger and relieving tension.
3. Spending Time in Nature: I tend to enjoy sitting on the sand at a beach, unfortunately where I live the weather isn’t always the best for a beach day but listening to the ocean waves is definitely peaceful. Also a nice walk with some scenery is a sure way to lift your spirits.
4. Bubble Baths & Candles: Romantic right? A little self-care is always good for the soul.

These are just a few ways to help. Tell me what helps you in your moments filled with stress?