Stress. It’s under control, until it’s not. April is Stress Awareness Month, so I asked therapist Rosana Lamontagne how we can better manage stress this spring. Here’s what she said, and I hope one or more of these tips will help you!
Guest post from therapist Rosana Lamontagne, LPC, CBC
Springtime can be very stressful since not only do you need to complete all kinds of tasks, you’re also extremely busy and constantly doing something. Needless to say, it can be a stressful time for most of us, so how can we alleviate the pressure? Here are some great tips and tricks that will help you manage your stress this spring!
1. Explore nature by going on a walk
Exploring nature is a great idea because it does help you de-stress and unwind. It also offers that sense of relaxation you rarely get to have these days.
Since springtime brings a lot of stress and anxiety, you do need those moments where you relax and just enjoy life. Going through a park, a forest or exploring a hiking trail is a great way to remove negative thoughts and just enjoy life for a change.
2. Declutter your room/office
Decluttering is actually a very good way to de-stress. Organizing your stuff and throwing away items you don’t use always tends to be a de-stressing experience, and it really is a de-stressing task.
It’s definitely going to take a little bit of time to organize and declutter, but this can be very relaxing. It will also remove the stress of not knowing where your stuff is at this time.
3. Start exercising
Since the weather is getting better and better, it’s actually the perfect time to exercise and work out more. Exercising is great for your body; it can help you alleviate pain, and it will even improve your sleep. Add to that the fact that it can work great with many health-related treatments, and you will have an exceptional time with it.
4. Perform breathing exercises
You can try mindfulness and breathing exercises, or maybe you want to start meditating. All of these are great ideas, and they will help remove a lot of the stress and challenges that might arise. Which is why it’s a great idea to test out many breathing exercises since it can be a great way to stop any negative thoughts and thus focus on yourself for a change.
5. Create your own gratitude diary
Writing in a diary might seem very old-school, but a gratitude journal/diary like this can be a great way to de-stress. You get to write your thoughts down, which in turn helps remove a lot of the stress.
And in the end, it leads to an exceptional result. You will feel better, and you’re also clearing your mind of any negativity.
There’s no denying that dealing with stress and anxiety can have a negative impact on your life and day as a whole. What we recommend is to just focus more on yourself for a change, and these de-stressing tips can be very helpful. We encourage you to give them a try for yourself, and you will get to enjoy the spring season without any pressure or challenges!
About today’s writer, therapist Rosana Lamontagne
Hello, I’m Rosana Lamontagne, a licensed professional counselor with 20 years of experience. I help women move past traumatic life experiences and gain healthy coping skills to live on their terms. My clients experience change over time through increased productivity, the ability to manage depressed and anxious moods in healthy ways and feel better about themselves.
Therapy doesn’t have to be scary or difficult. It can feel like a relief and accomplishment when you see where therapy can help take your life. My specialties include trauma therapy, depression, anxiety, and bariatric surgery psychological evaluations. We tailor treatment based on your comfort and readiness using my training in EMDR and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy.
Contact Rosana and 4th & Grove Counseling online
Rosana is located in southern New Jersey. Visit us at www.4thandgrovecounseling.com for mental health resources, tips, and more information.
You can find us on social media discussing lifestyle and mental health, and advocating for women’s health. We are on Instagram at @4thandgrovecounseling and @rosanalamontagne, Facebook, and TikTok.
I wholeheartedly agree with Rosana, “Stress in under control, until it’s not!” My top (2) tips, that I use practically every single day are exercising and deep breathing. I’d also have to strongly agree with the fact that “De-cluttering” helps to de-stress. I always feel as if a weight has been lifted, whenever I de-clutter and organize. My thoughts even seem clearer.
Deep breathing is something is something really need to add to my list, sis! Thanks for introducing me to Rosana ~ She’s so knowledgeable!