woman meditating at home

Stress is a normal part of life. A little stress can help you think, act, and get things done. But too much stress for a long time is bad for your brain and body. It’s important to find ways to manage stress to keep your brain healthy.

Managing Stress:

  • Protects brain cells
  • Improves memory
  • Reduces your risk of anxiety, depression, and even dementia
  • Supports emotional health
  • Helps you sleep better
  • Boosts problem-solving skills
  • Helps you live a calmer, happier life
woman meditating at home

Stress is a normal part of life. A little stress can help you think, act, and get things done. But too much stress for a long time is bad for your brain and body. It’s important to find ways to manage stress to keep your brain healthy.

Managing Stress:

  • Protects brain cells
  • Improves memory
  • Reduces your risk of anxiety, depression, and even dementia
  • Supports emotional health
  • Helps you sleep better
  • Boosts problem-solving skills
  • Helps you live a calmer, happier life

EXPERTS SUGGEST:

Do at least one thing to manage stress every day

We can't get rid of stress completely, but we can learn how to handle it better in our daily lives.

Step 1: Find What Makes You Stressed

Sometimes we are so busy with our daily lives that we don’t notice how stressed we are. To lower the effects of stress, the first step is to recognize what makes you stressed.

Tips for Finding What Makes You Stressed:

  • Make a list of things that stress you out.
  • Review your daily activities to see which ones cause you the most stress.
  • Consider if any people in your life add to your stress.
  • Notice any habits or routines that make you feel more stressed.

Step 2: Notice How Stress Affects You

Knowing how stress affects you helps you manage it better, stay healthy, and improve your overall wellbeing.

Take a moment to ask yourself how stress affects you. What signs do you notice when you’re stressed? Do you get irritable or angry, argue with others, have tense shoulders, clench your jaw, get headaches, feel sick, or have negative thoughts?

Step 3: Try Healthy Ways to Manage Stress

Sometimes, you can’t get rid of stress completely, but you can learn ways to handle it better. Improving your ability to cope with stress means finding ways to make stress less harmful to you. This can help you feel more in control and less overwhelmed.

How do you deal with stress right now? Are your ways of coping helpful or harmful? Are you using healthy methods like exercising, spending time outside or with friends, or taking breaks? Or are you doing things like overeating, watching too much TV, drinking too much, or ignoring important things in your life?

What small changes can you make in your daily routine to reduce stress or manage it better? Even small changes can help lower stress and improve your brain and body health. You can do it!

SOME THINGS YOU CAN TRY

SOME THINGS YOU CAN TRY

couple smiling and dancing

  • Schedule time carefully

  • Let go of unrealistic expectations

  • Take a break; slow down; take three deep breaths

  • Offer yourself kindness and comfort

  • Express gratitude for the good things in your life

  • Do less of the things that cause you stress

group of older male friends hiking together

  • Have fun – spend time with friends, do things you love

  • Listen to your favorite music, play a musical instrument, dance, or sing

  • Laugh – watch a funny movie with friends

  • Get a hug or cuddle with your favorite animal

  • Get some fresh air by spending time in nature

  • Forgive yourself and others

people taking a yoga class in the park

  • Notice tension in your body, and ask your muscles to soften as much as they can

  • Try yoga, tai chi, or qi gong

  • Practice mindfulness or guided meditation

  • Try progressive muscle relaxation

  • Journal or create artwork

  • Talk to a counselor or join a support group

Helpful Resources

APPS

STRESS INFORMATION

Healthy Brain Topics