How can I stop stressing?

Stress is part of our daily lives, whether at work, at home or in the face of life’s unexpected events. It often intrudes on our minds, affecting our bodies, our mental health and even our sleep. But how can we get rid of it effectively? Fortunately, there are simple, natural solutions to soothe anxiety and regain control. In this article, we explore practical tips on how to better manage stress, improve your physical and mental state, and regain essential balance in everyday life. From physical activity and relaxation to dietary tips and writing techniques, discover how to turn stress into strength for a more serene life.

To calm your mind, it’s time to get moving

Stress. Deliver us from that trickster who creeps in without warning, even though he’s never invited to the party! Stop that annoying little voice lecturing your mind and assailing it with doubts. It tints the atmosphere with sticky, slightly sickening colors. It takes you to the gut, tears flow (the excuse of dust in the eye is not valid). For obscure reasons known only to you, the sofa has become your friend, your confidant. This is where a valiant, life-saving “NO” must come in, rising from the bowels of your deepest self. A “NO, that’s enough”, to shake you out of your torpor. Stress can affect every aspect of your daily life, from your mental health to your sleep and your ability to handle complex situations.

Enough mysteries, let’s not talk much but talk well!

Physiological and psychological functions are a double-edged sword. Like Yin and Yang or Siamese twins, they dance close together. But when the going gets tough, they prefer a game of cat and mouse. To achieve a certain level of relaxation, you need to reconcile them, conjugate them in the present tense, on the basis of movement.

Moving your body and mind can be gentle… and powerful at the same time! We’ve come up with a few effective ways to do just that. The effects of stress on your body are numerous, but simple advice and targeted action can help you improve your general state.

Engage in dynamic physical activity

I’ve been doing a lot of sport. Cycling, swimming, running, hiking in the forest, lifting a 50-kilo bar at the gym (5 is not bad for muscular guys like us), frog jumping on the apartment floor to show the neighbors … There’s something for everyone.

Well, let’s be honest, before you jump in the water or put on your sneakers, it’s tough. Not as hard as facing a dragon alongside the famous Geralt de Riv in The Witcher, but almost. Yet when you live it up to 3000%, you’re capable ofachieving a state of grace and self-assumed lightness, an indescribable and liberating feeling. Regular physical activity reduces anxiety, improves sleep and strengthens your brain in the face of everyday challenges.

Focus on relaxation

This practice, based on gentle techniques, involves muscular tension and the ensuing relaxation (not to be attempted on a rush-hour subway train). Accompanied or on your own, you become aware of your body and your surroundings. You enjoy a little getaway, without breaking a sweat. A unique and truly relaxing experience.

By incorporating moments of relaxation into your routine, you can limit the symptoms associated with chronic stress and promote a better balance between body and mind.

No, you won’t have coffee again

Anyone who drinks 5 cups of strong coffee in the morning should raise their hand (and anyone who adores George Clooney, because What Else). We’re under the mistaken impression that, with a few ladles of this exciting beverage, the morning slump will be a distant memory. We feel invigorated and honoured to belong to the clan of “caffeine-lovers”.

However, even if coffee is the 3rd most popular beverage after water and tea, you should know that in high doses it’s no longer the Prince Charming of your favorite mug. It stimulates the nervous system, raising blood pressure and heart rate. Reducing caffeine can have a positive effect on your nervous state and your ability to cope with stressful situations.

Far be it from us to make you change sides, but we’d advise you to reduce your dose of caffeine, as powerful as an adrenaline shot, especially if you’re anxious by nature. You’ll want to think about this before ordering yet another espresso.

Another solution? Switch to chicory! This cultivated and roasted root, of plant origin and rich in the fiber necessary for the body to function , contains not a gram of caffeine! In short, it’s a knight in shining armor, helping you to limit any stress peaks that may be lurking around.

Learn to stop eating your emotions

At the end of a gruelling day, you decide to cheer yourself up. Bad luck or bad karma, the supermarket cash register has decided to take it out on you. The screen is blocked, the flashing light (yes, you read that right) turns red… Panic attack guaranteed (even the hostess gets involved: “Well, it looks like nobody wants you to leave with a pack of Kleenex, 2 tubs of ice cream and some peanutbutter”).

Sadness, anger, frustration … An instinctive mechanism sets in, inevitably pushing you to take the 2 tubs of ice cream out of the freezer or open the peanut butter lid, and there’s NOTHING wrong with that. This kind of situation happens all the time, level-zero gravity. It seems completely normal to want to find a refuge in which you feel better. Learning to identify your emotions and their triggers is a great way to better understand how your brain reacts to stressful situations.

However, we’ve decided to explore some new and comforting avenues, ones that come at just the right time:

Writing words to heal fears

When we can’t put our anxieties into words, writing is profoundly cathartic. You can write to yourself, write to others, send a letter or keep it forever at the bottom of a drawer. Can you put your stress down on paper and exorcise it without racking your brains? That’s what we call spontaneous writing. Writing can be a simple and effective way of freeing the mind of accumulated tension and reducing the effects of chronic stress.

Grab a sheet of paper, a pencil or a computer. There are no hard and fast rules, even when it comes to “when”. It’s up to you to feel things out and decide when you feel the need to write.

By definition, spontaneous writing has nothing to do with thinking. We’re not asking you to write an article on household borrowing rates in 2021, or to revise your copy of the Bac Philo (which was not our preferred subject, a very sensitive one). The aim is to be able to express your ideas and thoughts. In other words, whatever comes into your head in its raw state.

Dictation kings beware: spelling and grammar will not be scrutinized. And you’re under no obligation to correct yourself. No direction to give, no meaning to find… All things come to those who wait. If you make a habit of it, you’ll reap the benefits of spontaneous writing as you go along.

One last thing: stress is not your enemy.

Stress is a phenomenon we face on a daily basis, whatever our environment. In concrete terms, this heightened state of alertness calls on our survival instincts (when we had to go and pick chicory and wild animals were prowling around, it wasn’t exactly fun). Stress enables each of us to adapt and react to any situation, known or unknown.

It’s your companion on the road, boosting your ability to overcome fears and anxieties, and take action in the here and now. No spells or miracle cures. Only self-confidence and assertiveness can rebuild inner security! Properly managed, stress can be transformed into a driving force to move forward and better adapt to the challenges of daily life.

Stress is an unappealing term. It sounds like a cage locking up a bird (you’ll note that we’re very fond of metaphors). Yet it offers you the opportunity to act, even when your emotions overwhelm you.

Standing on your own two feet, you’re ready to witness the start of a new adventure, more soothing for your nerves and your turbine brain, in order to regain serenity and face up to the reality of the world around you.