How to Take Care of Yourself During Stressful Times
Stress sucks. Stressful situations, people, and environments that we have no control over suck even more. It can feel debilitating and powerless to be unable to change the situation you’re about to enter into, but there may be a few things you can do to help you get through it a bit easier.
Resourcing yourself – literally giving yourself the resources you need before, during, and after the stress – can help you navigate through it in the best way possible. This is honoring and fulfilling your needs to be best prepared, like filling up a gas tank and grabbing snacks before a long road trip.
So, what does resourcing yourself look like? Let’s start with fundamental needs (absolutely necessary needs):
Rest: Put rest and sleep at the top of your priority list before and after the situation. This means getting the amount of sleep that allows you to feel good and function at your best. If you’re a napper, nap it up! If rest looks like turning off your phone and having a movie day planned, schedule that in to your calendar and make it a priority.
Food: Eat things that make your body feel good leading up to and during the stressful event. Additionally, give yourself permission to munch on the comfort foods that you love. Giving your body fuel from food is one of the best ways to prepare yourself for uncomfortable and challenging situations.
Hydration: Give your body the opportunity to be properly hydrated. If water isn’t your thing but you have a favorite tea, juice, or pop, bring it with you.
Physical comfort: If taking a shower helps you feel most prepared for the day, give yourself time to do so. If you can’t stand the feeling of dry skin, make sure to pack some lotion. Pick out clothes that you are going to feel most comfortable and confident in. The goal is to not have to use any extra mental energy on things you can control before the experience.
Leveling up from fundamental (additional needs based on available time and resources):
Connection: Spend time in good company with people who lift you up. There are very few things that increase your confidence like spending time with people who love you. If you can, plan to do this both before and after. If these people happen to be the ones joining you, even better!
Indulgent self-care: If it’s within your time and money budget, allow yourself to indulge in a thing or two that helps your body feel at its best. Maybe this is a workout, a massage, a long bath, or spending time in nature.
Extras: Is there an artist or type of music you like to listen to? Make a playlist! Do you like to fidget with things like toys, jewelry, keychains, or your phone? Make sure you have those things packed with you and ready to go.
Needs during the situation:
Make a plan before the situation: Know how long you’re willing to stick around, what your boundaries are around the people and activities involved, and what your exit plan is should you need to leave earlier than intended.
Give yourself permission: Take a break by escaping to a quiet room. Engage in conversations as much as you are willing and able to, but don’t force yourself to interact longer than feels comfortable.
After the situation:
Take time to focus on what you need to feel functional again. This may go back to the fundamental needs listed above, it may be more indulgent self-care activities, and/or it may be a more structured plan for the next stressful event. Reflect on what helped this time, what didn’t help, and what you need more of next time. Ironically, the more you go through stressful situations and take care of yourself before, during, and after them, the more prepared you are for future stressful events.
While we can’t completely avoid stress in our lives, taking control of the things we can control can help us feel more empowered to get through them rather than merely tolerating them.
Are you interested in exploring what it looks like to resource yourself specifically? Let’s chat!