Steps to Alleviate Stressed Out Feelings

Feeling stressed out and frazzled has become increasingly common during the global pandemic. Ingrid Weihelander provides six helpful steps to follow when experiencing stress. The first step is to breathe and pay attention to your body, refocusing your attention from the outside world to your internal sensations. Second, define the feeling by naming it, moving with it, or visualizing it through drawing. Third, attentively listen to what the stressed out part of you is saying, instead of ignoring or opposing it. Fourth, allow for a physical release by holding onto feelings of calm or relaxation, giving yourself a hug, and exhaling deeply. Fifth, check inside for new feelings, recognizing that there may be sensations of calm, courage, or confidence existing alongside stress. Finally, take a small action based on the newly discovered, more comfortable or motivated feeling, engaging in activities like walking, creating, or organizing.