As April marks Stress Awareness Month, Lioness Magazine turns to a diverse group of Innovation Women and Lioness community members for insights on managing stress and fostering resilience. Adding onto our stress strategies and life hacks, these individuals, from various backgrounds and professions, offer perspectives and strategies that can inspire us to navigate life’s challenges with grace and strength.
Comprehensive, straight-forward acronyms for stress reduction
Chitra Rochlani advocates for a deep-rooted solution to stress, urging individuals to go beyond quick fixes. “What eradicates stress for me is going past the quick fixes and gimmicks and going deeper to the root of the problem that is stressing you out,” Rochlani says. “Say NO to band-aids since they only relieve stress temporarily.”
Instead, Rochlani’s PFH (Peel, Feel, Heal) framework encourages people to peel the layers of old conditioning, feel their emotions and heal from past pain, offering a transformative approach to stress management.
Jackie Roby, a Relationship Mindset Coach at Inspired Journey Consulting, uses a different acronym for stress relief: MAGIC. “I use a system called MAGIC. Mindfulness Tools, Articulate Your Feelings, Gain Insight, Integrate New Beliefs and Choose the Life You Desire,” she explains. “These create an overall feeling of ease, excitement, confidence and self-love. In a pinch, I tell my clients to pause and take three deep breaths before responding to anything that stresses them out.”
The healing power of laughter
Noreen Braman finds humor and laughter to be essential in managing stress. She advises, “Find some humor, turn yesterday’s crisis into today’s funny story, breathe deep and laugh for the health of it!” Noreen’s perspective highlights the importance of finding joy and lightness in life, even during challenging times.
Writing and talking away worries
Dr. Anmol Agarwal, a Security Researcher at Nokia, shares practical strategies for stress management. “I write down what I’m worried about and whether it will make a difference in a year or five years from now,” she said. Alternatively, I can talk about my feelings with people I trust, whether family or close friends. Talking aloud helps me process my emotions.” Agarwal’s approach emphasizes the importance of perspective and reflection in managing stress.
Transforming stress through mindful breathing
Lidia Varesco Racoma discovered transformative practices during a stressful period in her life. She shares, “During a particularly stressful time in my life 3 years ago, I discovered the book Burnout by Amelia Nagoski and the life-changing concept of ‘completing the stress cycle.’ It changed my perspective on stress into something more positive. I also downloaded the Calm app and have been doing mindful breathing every day ever since.” Racoma’s journey to a more conscious take on stress and her practice of mindful breathing illustrates the transformative potential of mindfulness and awareness in managing stress and promoting emotional well-being.
Embracing nature for inner peace
Milene F. Jeffirs, a psychologist and owner at Connect, emphasizes the importance of connecting with nature for stress management. She shares, “For me, lots of walks outside and exercising are necessary to feel centered.” Jeffirs’ approach highlights the therapeutic power of outdoor activities in alleviating stress and promoting overall well-being.
Carole Bober Gentry also finds stress relief in nature, particularly in walking trails without distractions. “The best stress relief for me over the years has been walking the trails in my local park (or any park, as long as there are trees).” She goes on to give the special secret to the ultimate relaxation: “The key? No headphones, music or phone calls. Just time to breathe, reflect and listen to the sounds of nature. There is nothing like it!”
Stress management conclusions
These resilient individuals remind us that managing stress is not only about finding quick fixes but also about embracing holistic approaches that nurture our mind, body and spirit. As we observe Stress Awareness Month, let’s all take inspiration from these insights and strive to incorporate stress relief strategies into our daily lives, fostering resilience and well-being.
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