Any practical tips for managing stress during a difficult period?

[Sleepy21]

Going through a period of a lot of stress that unfortunately can’t be fully avoided and that I know many people go through - young children, aging/unwell parents, work volumes. I am not dealing with it very well (feeling run down and overall frazzled) and realise I don’t have any coping strategies and wondered if anyone had any tips/ideas on managing stress? I know can’t get rid of things that cause stress but I can change how I deal with it to an extent. Thank you - - Very grateful for anybody’s input x

Bless OP. Be kind to yourself and don't think oh others go through it. You're entitled to how you feel. I'm sure your coping with it.
Try to be kind to yourself, what helps me a lot is white noise videos, howling winds crackling fires, try Rainy Guy or Purring Cat, on you tube? Twinings sleep aid tea. Podcasts or audio books? I love the Harry potter originals read by Stephen Fry. So soothing and you don't really have to concentrate on the plot?
Get yourself checked out at GP, maybe you're anaemic? Talking therapy?
Thinking of you x

Something that helps me a lot is practising breathing exercises for a few minutes at a time when I’m already relaxed, and then putting them into action as soon as I get tense. Chatgpt can help with counting through the breaths.

Netflix has hour-long vids of fireplaces. Or a nature programme with the subtitles and sound turned off.

There is also spa music on spotify and apple podcast that helps me go to sleep when my mind is whirling. Sometimes i even have the music on in the background while listening to a familiar audiobook.

Thank you so much for the kind reply, it made me feel much better - and for the great suggestions - I love Harry Potter, so I will definitely look into those, and the rainy guy videos look very soothing! Yes, I recently had a few blood tests and all were normal except for my ferritin which was low so currently battling with the iron supplements, and I guess it will take a while to feel any positive effects. I also have an underactive thyroid which has been giving me issues this year, and in the process of trying to get that under control so I am sure those things are probably contributing to the overall frazzled feeling xx

Thank you v much - I will try those breathing exercises as they sound like they may help with the tension I am feeling - my upper body constantly feels tense!

I’m in a similar place. It sounds obvious but is surprisingly hard to do - take exercise and eat healthily.

Take one day at a time. I have weeks that have felt utterly overwhelming on a Monday but I tell myself I will get through it a day at a time.

Allow time for yourself & don’t be afraid to say No sometimes.

I also use This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray if I wake up in the night & it seems to help.

I agree meditation and breathing exercises would really help.

Focus on self care where you can - so try to sleep, exercise, eat healthily.

Try to avoid alcohol, caffeine etc.

I also listen to relaxing storm sounds or spa music before bed to unwind. Also walking especially anywhere green and around nature calms me. And I use a magnesium and lavendar sleep therapy lotion on my calves before bed.
And sometimes I just need a good cry!!

If you get the chance, grab little power naps to help you recharge.

And no alcohol. It makes everything worse. 💐

The Calm app is brilliant. Lots of tips plus breathing exercises. My dh uses it alit.

Make sure you eat properly and don’t skip meals.

if your=able, a short walk helps. Fresh air.

Wow! I don't want to derail the OP post but thanks everyone too! I've picked up more ideas from you all! I will definitely try the pillow sprays. X

I was also going to suggest breathing exercises. It crazy how effective just breathing came be (from a highly strung, high blood pressured stress head 😅).

Specifically, diaphragmatic breathing- which actives the parasympathetic nervous system and counters the ‘fight or flight’ repsonse.