If you're a foster care case manager, odds are that your job is stressful. The high workload can easily lead to exhaustion and burnout. Most people know that finding ways to manage stress is a good idea. However, those who are under pressure usually have the least bandwidth available to make meaningful changes.
But that doesn't mean you're helpless in the face of stress. Effective tools to dial down tension don't have to take a huge amount of time and effort. November 2nd is International Stress Awareness Day, so we thought we would provide you with 10 ways you can manage stress and bring more joy into your life.
The news is endless, and it's rarely soothing. Try to step away from the radio, TV, and news apps that keep you up-to-date by the minute. The headlines don't really change very often, so plan a specific time to catch up with what's happening in the world, then turn your attention to other things.
We've all done it. You settle in for a few minutes of mindless scrolling, and suddenly an hour has evaporated. Not only is the online world an endless time sink, but it can also leave you feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and insecure. Set aside some time to detox from all that noise. This could mean taking an evening off from spending time on your phone or something more extensive, like staying away from social media for a week.
You don't have to do a boot-camp-style workout at the crack of dawn to benefit from exercise. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, adding movement to your day has been shown to boost your health in many ways, including increasing energy levels and decreasing stress. You're more likely to stick with it if you're doing something you enjoy, so look for opportunities to move that sound like fun, such as walking, playing with your dog, dancing, or boot-camp-style classes at dawn, if that's your thing.
It can seem like a waste of time to focus on a hobby when there are so many important things to do. But spending time immersed in something that brings you joy is both soothing and energizing. It's a great way to manage stress.
It's a classic for a reason; as a study published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience showed, breathing exercises help you shake off your body's reaction to stress. Simply relaxing your jaw and shoulders, then taking some deep breaths sends a message to your brain that things are ok. In response, your brain dials down the stress responses.
It can be something as big as a dream vacation, or as simple as a special meal on the weekend. Just making a plan to do something special and imagining the outcome is enough to add some joy to your day and effectively manage stress.
We tend to save phone calls for important news, but just chatting with someone you love is a great way to de-stress.
We could all benefit from more sleep. It boosts immune response, improves emotional regulation, and even helps you think more clearly. Try setting up a bedtime routine to ease your body and mind toward sleep. Some ideas are: do some deep breathing exercises, have a cup of soothing herbal tea, take a warm bath, and do some writing to unwind.
As a study that was published in Frontiers in Psychology demonstrated, gratitude improves how people feel about their lives. Spending a few minutes every day writing down what you're grateful for can shift your outlook in powerful ways.
It can be a profound relief to admit that something needs to change. We can't always improve how we feel; sometimes we need to improve the situation. If something in your life is more than you can or want to handle, give yourself permission to address that. This may not be a simple process, but just starting down that path can be the best kind of self-care there is. Write down what's bothering you and start brainstorming solutions.
extendedReach is here to make paperwork, documentation, and compliance easier, so you can focus on other things. Schedule a demonstration to see exactly how our software can lighten your load.