5 Tips for Coping During Stress
Stress doesn’t always show up the way we expect it to. Sometimes it’s loud—like panic or overwhelm. Other times, it’s subtle—like forgetfulness, irritability, or just feeling disconnected. No matter how it manifests, stress is part of being human. But that doesn’t mean we have to let it run the show.
These five tips go a little deeper than the usual advice. They’re practical, underrated, and based on real-life experience—because sometimes deep breaths just aren’t enough.
1 — Narrate What’s Happening to You (Out Loud)
This may sound strange, but when you're in the thick of a stress spiral, try saying (out loud):
"I’m feeling overwhelmed. My chest is tight. I don’t know what to do next, and that’s making me anxious."
This helps pull you out of fight-or-flight mode and into a more regulated state. By narrating your physical and emotional experience, you reduce shame and make room for self-compassion. It’s like giving your nervous system a language to work with.
2 — Let Go of “Fixing” Everything Immediately
One of the biggest stress amplifiers? Believing that everything has to be solved right now. Some problems don’t have tidy resolutions—or they’re just not yours to fix. Learning to sit with the discomfort, rather than rushing to solve or suppress it, builds emotional resilience.
Give yourself permission to pause, not push.
3 — Use a “Minimum Effort” List
On days when everything feels like too much, create a list of 3–5 “minimum effort” tasks: drink a glass of water, respond to one message, stretch for 2 minutes.
This isn’t about productivity—it’s about agency. When stress makes you feel powerless, completing even tiny tasks reminds you that you still have choice and movement.
4 — Let Your Body Take the Lead
Sometimes your body knows what you need before your mind catches up. Ever feel the urge to shake out your hands? Hum? Rock back and forth? These are all nervous system-regulating behaviors. Trust those impulses.
Gentle movement (not a full workout), vocalizing, or simply lying on the floor with your legs up the wall can be more helpful than trying to “think” your way out of stress.
5 — Create a “Stress You” Ritual
You probably already have routines for “Work You” or “Weekend You”—so why not have one for “Stressed You”? Create a go-to ritual for when you’re maxed out. It might include putting on cozy socks, making a magnesium drink, watching a low-stakes reality show, or calling a friend who gets it.
The ritual doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to signal: “Hey, I see you. I’m here. Let’s ride this out together.”
Final Thoughts
Stress is inevitable—but suffering in silence doesn’t have to be. The more tools you give yourself to navigate hard moments, the more resilient and self-connected you become. You don’t need to have it all together to take care of yourself. You just need a few anchors to return to when things feel unsteady.
PS: Want this turned into a shareable Instagram carousel or printable checklist? Let me know—I’m happy to make it easy to come back to when stress hits.
