It is a part of life! It is trying to find tools to manage it. I always had the belief that if I got it to zero then life would be perfect. However, as time goes on, I have come to realise there will always be moments or periods of stress in life, it is part of the human experience.  So how can we help manage it when it occurs?  Some things that have helped me:

-Meditation – the days I don’t want to do it are the days I need it the most.  Even if it is for 5/10 minutes. Taking the moment of stillness to go inside and connect, it is the most powerful support in these moments.

-Nature- I can’t express how much better I feel by walking in the forest, being by the ocean, just getting outside for even a 5-minute walk around the street block.

-Friends – Speaking on the phone and sharing the problem or just laughing about something totally seperate. Meeting a friend for brunch or going for a walk. Human connection is a vital part of life.

-Smile- Even on days when we may not feel like it, just smiling at a stranger on the street can bring joy, something so simple but so very special. You never know how much your smile may have impacted that stranger too.

-Professional support- There are points when none of the above will help and you need to seek the support of a counsellor or psychologist which is extremely important.