Six Ways to Take a Break From Everyday Stress

I once attended a lecture on stress management. The instructor held up a glass of water and asked how heavy it was. People guessed anywhere from one ounce to 16. He explained that the same glass would feel heavier the longer he held it. His example made me think about how rarely I give myself a chance to put a responsibility down, even for a few minutes.

Choose a small way to ease the load

1. Start one task you keep carrying around. If a call is looming, look up the number and write down your first question. If something more urgent needs you today, set a time to return to the task.
2. Change the part you can. If rain interrupts a plan with friends, see whether you’d all like to meet indoors or pick another day.
3. Do something you enjoy at a pace you choose. I used to stand off to the side when I went dancing with friends because I worried about how I looked. One night I tried dancing anyway. I noticed that people were busy enjoying themselves, and I had more fun once I joined in.
4. Notice three things you appreciate. While you’re waiting in a safe place, name something you like about the room, a recent conversation or the day so far.
5. Give the workday an ending. Write a note about where to begin tomorrow, then mark the transition with a walk, a change of clothes or a quiet cup of tea.
6. Take a brief pause. If it feels comfortable, look toward a window and take a few easy breaths. You can also notice the support of the chair or feel your feet on the floor.

Decide what can wait

A pause can give you time to think about whether you need rest, practical help or a change in an ongoing demand. Choose one responsibility you can put down today and one person you could ask to help if the load is too much.