The easiest way to manage your stress is by practicing controlled breathing. When we are stressed our brain and body feel threatened, or are even just thinking about something stressful we can turn on our stress response. Controlled breathing is a way to calm the stress response returning equilibrium to the mind and body.
- Release your breath out through your mouth
- Slowly draw air in through your nose
- Slowly release the air out through your mouth
- Repeat until your mind and body are feeling calmer
Below are links to some free or low cost stress reduction tools that you might find helpful:
- MANDALA MAGIC (create mandalas from your photos)- http://mandalamagicapp.com/
- Mandala Coloring Pages (android) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.color.mandala&hl=en
- Mandalas FREE (iPhone) - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mandalas-free/id424903377?mt=8
- Smiling Mind (meditation) - http://smilingmind.com.au/
- CALM (meditation) - https://www.calm.com/
- Template to create a personal stress management plan - https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/emotional-wellness/Building-Resilience/Pages/For-Teens-Creating-Your-Personal-Stress-Management-Plan.aspx
- Relieve Stress With Fun Polls (provided by Verywell) - https://www.verywell.com/what-type-of-personality-do-i-have-3144852
- Nature Sounds (android) - https://www.9apps.com/android-apps/Nature-Sounds/
- Nature Space (iPhone) - http://appcrawlr.com/ios/naturespace-relax-meditate-esca
- Personal Zen (iPhone) - http://www.personalzen.com/