10 Actionable Ways to be Present + Reduce Stress

bloom's goal is for everyone in our community to feel seen, supported, and empowered. Stress is something that each and every one of us deals with. We will likely never have a “stress-free” life, and that is more than okay! But by building positive habits, practicing gratitude, and creating a more balanced lifestyle, we can all be better prepared to work through stress when it arises.

Below, is a collection of effective actions you can take to feel more present in the moment, plus powerful long-term habits to live a less stressful life!

Take ten deep breaths 
Use your most powerful tool - your breath - to center yourself during moments of stress and overwhelm. Take ten deep breaths to bring yourself back to your body, calm your nervous system, and remind yourself that no matter what is going on around you - you will be just fine. 

Spend time in nature
Get some fresh air + soak up the sunlight. Spending time outdoors can completely reset your mind, helping you feel more grounded and calm in the moment and throughout the rest of your day! Taking just a few moments in nature and focusing on the sights and sounds around you is a great way to be present, practice gratitude for the world around you, and give your mind a little break.

Prioritize tasks
Instead of overwhelming yourself with a lengthy to-do list, simply focus on the 3-5 most important things you want to get done. Prioritize finishing these tasks first, and anything else you accomplish beyond that is just icing on the cake! Take the unnecessary pressure off and be sure to acknowledge your own hard work and success.

Mindful movement
Channel your energy into exercise and move your body in any way that feels good to you! Movement is so beneficial for the mind and body - get some endorphins in, put your to-do list on hold, have fun, and feel proud for doing something so great for yourself!

Rest
Equally as important as exercise: take time to rest! Listen to your body and fully allow yourself to take well-deserved time to rest and recover. Whether it’s sleeping in late, taking a midday nap, having a relaxing night in, or taking a day off - give yourself the gift of comfort, peace, and relaxation. A well-rested body and mind will handle stressful situations with far more ease and grace than an overworked one. 

Journal
It is impossible to move past feelings of stress and anxiety without moving through them first. Try journaling to get your thoughts out of your head and onto paper. Once you write it all down, let it go. If you don’t know where to start, try some of the prompts below:

• What do I currently feel weighed down by? What can lift me up?
• What thoughts, emotions, or actions am I avoiding?
• In this moment, what do I need to feel safe, calm, and at peace?
• What do I want to feel like? How can I embody those feelings? 
• What are some of my accomplishments and victories today?
• Even if I cannot change my current situation, what is one thing I can do as a step in the right direction?

Connect with a loved one
In moments of overwhelm, reach out to a friend or family member for support. Simply expressing your feelings of stress, sharing your challenging experiences, and gaining another perspective can do wonders. Being vulnerable with others can also help you form meaningful, supportive relationships. Lean on your support system and show your appreciation for your loved ones!

Mood check-ins 
Check in with yourself daily - take a moment to ask yourself how you are feeling and truly listen for the answer. Consider what internal or external factors might be affecting your emotions. Ask yourself how you can honor your feelings, and think about what you can do to make today just a little bit better. Use this mood chart to identify your emotions each day and take notice of any patterns:

“Me Time”
Schedule in time for YOU everyday. Take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour of time just for yourself, and mark it in your planner so it is non-negotiable! Use this time to do anything you want that feels fun, calming, or fulfilling. Plus, start letting go of any guilt you feel around dedicating time to yourself. Balancing discipline + productivity with self compassion + joy is so important in the long term for managing stress and living a happy life.

Practice Gratitude
As often as you can, remind yourself of all you have to be grateful for. To start, make a simple list of 5 things you feel appreciative for at the moment and describe each one. Let these positive reminders lift you up, bring some joy to your day, and help ease your stress. The world has so much good to offer, we simply have to take time to look around and notice it! 

We hope you find this collection helpful and empowering; the bloom team wishes you a happy, peaceful spring!!