November 2020 Newsletter | Feeling Overwhelmed In Stressful Times?
Today, people are managing their lives in face of unprecedented barriers and stressors. We at City Center Psychotherapy believe that little changes to your daily life can go a long way in reducing the cumulative effect of stress.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers strategies focused on changing behaviors in order to reduce stress, and increase enjoyment and calm.
Find Fun - Missing the fun activities you used to do? Find alternatives to them.
Do More - Finding yourself doing less or repeating the same routine each day? If so, consider adding more, different kinds of activities. Notice your overall mood afterwards. It will keep you motivated to keep on "doing more" in a way that feels beneficial.
Take up Something New (bread-baking, anyone?) - Include your loved ones in activities that you all enjoy.
Take a Break Regularly - For these, please refer to our tips on relaxation breathing. Or, introduce a regular practice of lowering your stress and anxiety through this body-focused work.
Be in Nature - Enjoying the outdoors is more important than ever now. Being in nature is associated with a host of physical and emotional benefits. So, look for a park, a walk or a hike near you. When you are already feeling under stress, the idea of making time to go outside may seem like adding another item on your "To Do" list and your mind may fight you. Notice those thoughts, accept them without judgement and refocus on doing (not thinking). Put on those shoes and go! Need some more motivation? Try saying this adage to yourself: you don't have to feel better to do. Rather, do to feel better!
Talk it Through - In stressful times, it is useful to connect with others who know what it's like. It's a reminder that you're not alone. It can lead to helpful suggestions and the cathartic experience feeling heard. It can be beneficial to hear from others, too, and to cut the loop in your own thinking for a while.
Do you have questions or feedback about these tips? Your City Center Psychotherapy therapist is available to speak about these, your experience of stress and develop a plan with you to reduce it. We’d love to hear from you: get in touch with us via the Contact Us page on this website.