Stress is unavoidable. So it’s important to learn tools to manage it so we don’t get rocked every time life kicks us in the pants.

All of us seem to have too much to do. With never enough time. While dealing with the challenges and unpredictability of life.

A few important things you should know about stress can make all the difference in how you deal with it.

First, it starts in your mind from thoughts.

This might sound obvious, but what we think about affects our bodies. When we think about things that cause us stress it affects our bodies, such as raising blood pressure.

Second, they are future based thoughts.

They are characterized by worrying, planning, and playing out possible scenarios. All of them are based on the future, rather than what’s happening in the moment.

Third, stressful thoughts are invasive.

They tend to run through our minds over, and over, and over again. Making us feel overwhelmed, and even cornered by them.

When you start to feel the weight of stress on your body. Or, the busy cluttered mess of your racing mind, here are 3 easy steps you can take before it spirals out of control:

1) Take a deep breath – I know this isn’t revolutionary, but taking a few deep breaths have a lot of positive benefits.

It creates space in your mind so you’re not overwhelmed by invasive thoughts. Deep breaths stimulates the vagus nerve which calms the nervous system down. It gets your attention out of your head and into your body, and brings you into the present moment.

2) Get out and move – When stress feels overwhelming leave your environment and get your blood moving. Changing locations helps your mind change gears, and exercise moves stress out of your body while increasing feel good neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. As they say, “move a muscle, change a feeling.”

3) Meditate – All meditation is good, but Mindfulness Meditation is particularly helpful in lowering stress and anxiety because teaches you how to be with uncomfortable thoughts without buying into them.

I’d love to hear from you now: Which of these tips are you going to try first? What is your go-to tip for stopping stress? Please share in the comments below.