Five- and Ten-Minute Ways to Manage Stress

Managing stress in an already hectic environment seems impossible. But you can lower your stress levels in bite-sized chunks. You can practice a few ways to manage stress while you brew a pot of tea or coffee.

Five-Minute Ways to Manage Stress

Five minutes may not seem like a long time, but it is just the right amount to shift your mindset, calm your thoughts, and trigger the parasympathetic nervous system, which will help you feel calmer. Pick a few of these five-minute ways to manage stress to have on hand in a pinch.

Journal thoughts and emotions Use a journal as a safe and creative place to express your emotions. You may identify negative thoughts or behavioral patterns exacerbating your stress.

Stay kind and positive It only takes a moment to be kind to someone else. Shifting your mindset to a more positive one can lower stress. Try reframing unkind thoughts and practicing kindness not just to other people but also to yourself.

Read a scene or episode in a story You can spend five minutes reading a scene in a novel or short story to help distract your anxious thoughts. There are reading apps now that provide stories in five-minute episodes, making for a quick break even at work.

Practice progressive muscle relaxation technique Lie on a bed or the floor and focus on your body parts. Where do you feel tension? Now, starting with the feet, clench the muscles and hold for five seconds, then release. Move to the next muscle group. Continue scanning your body, tensing and releasing muscles until you reach your face. If you still feel some tension in an area, repeat if needed.

Have extra time? Try a few ten-minute ways to manage stress.

Ten-Minute Ways to Manage Stress

Are you ready for a time-out, but in a good way? These quick, ten-minute ways to manage stress can be done in the time you usually spend scrolling aimlessly on social media or finding a movie out of the thousands available on a streaming service. Spend ten minutes on your physical and mental health daily as part of your daily routine.

Limit social media We can spend accumulated hours scrolling and liking others’ posts on social media. Researchers are learning that social media and anxiety are linked. If possible, try to limit your social media viewing to ten minutes. That is enough time to check messages and notifications, respond quickly, and scroll through a few posts.

Sleep more by going to bed earlier Turn your bedtime back by ten minutes every few nights until you reach an appropriate time for you. Sleep deprivation makes it more difficult to regulate emotions and can contribute to stress and anxiety.

Walk in the morning A brisk walk first thing in the morning sets the tone for the day. Exercise boosts your mood, making it easier to regulate emotions while also improving your physical health and well-being. Spend ten minutes walking indoors or outdoors to get your heart pumping.

Can you think of other ways to manage stress that you would like to try?

Christian Counseling in Stone Oak, Texas

Do you need more ways to manage stress, or are you looking for a professional approach to anxiety? Our reception team connects clients with Christian counselors in Stone Oak, Texas who specialize in anxiety, stress, and other mental conditions using psychological methods and faith-based principles. Call us today at Stone Oak Christian Counseling in Texas to get started.