How do you manage stress?

How do I manage stress? Well, that depends on the day and how many people have tested my patience before I’ve finished my morning coffee. 😂

Over the years, I’ve learned that stress isn’t something we can completely avoid. Life has a funny way of throwing things at us, usually when we’re already juggling six other things and wondering what we walked into the kitchen for.

Writing has become one of my greatest escapes. When my mind gets too crowded, I can sit at my laptop and disappear into another world. Of course, sometimes my fictional characters cause me more stress than real people, but at least I can kill those ones off without going to jail! 😂

On a more serious note, I’ve learned that protecting my peace is important. I don’t have to solve every problem, please everyone, or carry the weight of things I can’t control. Sometimes managing stress means walking away, taking a quiet moment, or reminding myself that not everything deserves a reaction.

And sometimes it means pouring a little rum, putting my feet up, and deciding that whatever it is can wait until tomorrow.

At 63, I’m still learning the art of managing stress, but one thing I’ve figured out is that life is too short to spend every waking moment worrying about things that might never happen.

How about you? What’s your secret to managing stress? And don’t tell me it’s deep breathing unless you’ve actually tried it while someone is chewing loudly beside you! 😂

With love
©️Suzy Bourget
suzybourgetauthor.ca