Spring can sometimes feel a little stressful! School, work, changing weather, and all the new activities can make our minds and bodies feel a bit overwhelmed. That’s why this March we’re talking about being mindful and learning some awesome therapy techniques for stress management this season.
What are Therapy Techniques?
Therapy techniques for stress management are special ways that help us relax our bodies and calm our minds. Just like when we get a bump or scrape and need a bandage, we can use these techniques to take care of our feelings too! Here’s how they work:
- They help us understand how stress feels: Sometimes we get cranky or have trouble sleeping, but we don’t even realize we’re stressed! Therapy techniques can help us learn what our bodies and minds do when we need a break.
- They teach us to relax: There are ways to relax our bodies, like special breathing exercises and focusing on how our muscles feel.
- They help us think differently: When we’re stressed, sometimes our brains get stuck. These techniques teach us ways to think more calmly and make better choices.
Top 5 Cool Therapy Techniques for Stress Management
Let’s learn some fun techniques to beat stress this spring;
1. The Deep Breath Superhero
Imagine you have deep-breathing superpowers! When you feel stressed, breathe slowly through your nose, like you’re smelling a beautiful flower. Then, breathe out through your mouth slowly, like you’re blowing out birthday candles. Do this a few times, and you might feel that stress starts to melt away.
2. The Mindful Turtle
Pretend you’re a turtle! When a turtle senses danger, it tucks itself into its shell to feel safe. You can do the same thing! If it all feels like too much, “tuck” yourself in by hugging your arms around you, closing your eyes, and taking some deep breaths. Imagine a safe place where you can stay until you feel calm.
3. The Worry Jar
Worries can feel big and scary. Grab a jar, some paper, and a pen. Write down your worries or draw pictures of them. Put them in the jar and close it tight! Imagine that those worries are locked away for a while. You can come back and check on them later when you feel calmer!
4. The Silly Dance Shake-Off
Sometimes, the best way to beat stress is to move your body! Put on your favorite song and dance like nobody is watching. Shake your arms, wiggle your hips, and jump around. When you move, it helps your body work out that extra energy and feel less stressed.
5. The Gratitude Detective
Even when things feel tough, there are always good things too! Play detective and try to find three things you’re grateful for. Maybe it’s a yummy snack, a sunny day, or a funny joke your friend told you. Focusing on the good stuff can help you feel happier and less stressed.
Remember that stress is normal, but it doesn’t have to control you. You have the power to manage your feelings and have an awesome spring! So let’s make March a mindful month! Try these therapy techniques for stress management when you feel stressed this spring, and see how they help you stay calm and happy all season long.
How CCHC Can Help
The Center for Connection, Healing, and Change takes an interdisciplinary approach, interweaving psychotherapy and neuroscience with the timeless wisdom of mindfulness and meditation.
We promote connection, healing, and change in the following areas: couple and family relationships, substance use and processing addictions, depression and/or anxiety, self-worth and identity, sexual life, baby bonding and communication, attachment, experiences of trauma, abuse, and PTSD, childhood experiences and family of origin work, chronic pain and physical illness, military life, parenting, stress management and resilience building, emotional regulation and wellbeing, anger management, spiritual life, behavioral issues, and sexuality.
Our therapists work with couples, children, teens, families, and adults—all from a systemic and holistic perspective.
We are particularly committed to providing services grounded in trauma-informed care, somatic and body-based approaches, and attachment-focused ways of working.
Schedule a free consultation with us today, or visit our offices in Woodbridge or Fairfax.