Stress is a normal part of most people’s lives. Sometimes those sharp feelings of anxiety that we experience are simply alerting us that there’s something that needs our immediate attention. But, when stress gets overwhelming, it helps to know in advance the self-care activities that you can employ to get through the crisis. Interestingly, some therapies refer to this as having the right “tools in your tool belt”.

Of course, knowing in advance how you want to react in a stressful situation doesn’t always work, but it’s a big step in the right direction. This is especially true if you find yourself getting to a point of not knowing what to do next on a regular basis. If you have prior knowledge and “tools” in place within your emotional, mental, or physical reach, you’re less likely to lose control under pressure. Reacting to stress in a healthy way gives you the energy to move forward in a positive way rather than … “stressing over it”! In other words, these are tools that you need to keep things moving smoothly without disrupting your life. That’s a win-win for you and everyone around you.

Some of the suggestions below are easy to implement and some take more practice. Either way, keep in mind that no one in this Universe is perfect and even though things might get rough, there are things you can do to keep your life in spirit, mind, and body balance.