Any ways to manage stress?

[cheesetoast]

Lately, I've been feeling kinda funny in terms of mental health. Some days I'm okay and others I feel extremely tense in the shoulders and unresponsive to life, which I credit a lot to me overthinking about the future everyday. Fun times.

Any effective ways to manage stress levels and all that?

[K888]

Defs recommend going and seeing your GP and having a chat with them! They can help you out and give you a place to vent but can also link you up with formal services like psychologists, counsellors, etc. - who can teach you management strategies for stress and anxiety. I'm such a massive overthinker and have found seeing a psych super helpful (you don't have to be at rock bottom to get help with your mental health, either - it's all about maintenance) and it's helping me learn to challenge my thought processes and all that.

For strategies at home, I like to do stuff like:
- Go for a walk and get fresh air/do other forms of exercise
- Read a book, listen to a podcast or audiobook or music
- Have a cup of tea
- Write down what's going on in my head
- Talk to friends

When I catch myself feeling really tense, I like to try to relax all my muscles that I'm holding tightly and focus on my breathing for a few minutes.