Why am I so stressed?

Have those words ever come to your mind? You’re doing everything you can to keep putting one foot in front of the other, but work responsibilities keep popping up, and the children have a million different activities to do after school. The toll of day-to-day life can rapidly become overwhelming.

The cause of each person’s stress varies greatly, of course, but roughly one-third of Americans say they have stress levels that affect their mental health. It’s incredibly common, and many people feel as though they can never escape the rapidly increasing levels of stress around them. Let’s dive in to some techniques for lowering stress that may help you.

Quick Fixes

Sometimes you need a quick fix for the stress that just won’t leave you alone. Don’t feel bad for taking that moment to reset yourself. Spend a few minutes in a quiet space doing breathing exercises, or turn your phone on airplane mode for an hour or so. Taking a break from social media, or whatever other notifications continue to ping your phone, can go a long way toward decreasing your stress levels. Don’t be afraid to call up a trusted friend and vent about everything going on, either. Getting those stressors out of your brain can be incredibly therapeutic. 

Everyone’s stressors are different, and there isn’t one perfect fix-all, but in the moment, it is worth it to try and reset your own mind so you can continue moving forward refreshed. 

Pinpoint the cause.

Going to therapy to locate the cause of your stress can go a long way in helping manage your mental health. A good therapist will not only help you find the causes but can also help you learn how to cope with it or even solve the problem in the long run.

Therapy can give you a trusted person to vent to and a space for you to hash out childhood trauma that could be poking its way to the surface. Depending on the underlying problem, this process can take some time, but the techniques learned will benefit you for a lifetime.

Get outside!

The glorious sunlight is often underrated. In Texas, you might feel like you could use a break from the sun when it’s over 100 degrees out there! But sunlight is a vital part of life. Some good ole (safe) sun exposure can help regulate your mood and increase vitamin D levels in your system.

There are multiple ways to soak in those rays. Beat the heat outside and take a walk! Change up the location whenever you can to keep it fun. Do it as frequently as possible to create a healthy habit. If you need some accountability, take the dog with you each day. You might be surprised at how insistent your furry friend will be about this walking routine. 

If walking isn’t quite your style, you can start a garden or flower bed. If you don’t have the ability to till up the ground for this, try opting for raised beds instead. These can often be easier to keep weed-free, after all.

Spend time creating your own little oasis on the porch. Go as elaborate or as simple as you want! The process will get you time outside, leaving you with your own unique outdoor haven. Hang some fancy lights along the edges of the roof, or just get a comfy chair to relax in under the shade. 

Sleep Quality

Never underestimate the power of sleep. It’s a double-edged sword. High levels of stress can decrease your sleep quality, and a bad night’s sleep can increase your stress levels.

Keep a sleep journal for a few weeks to track your progress. Are you waking up throughout the night, or just staring at the ceiling fan instead of falling asleep in the first place? If you are managing that coveted 8 hours of sleep per night and still feel exhausted, it might be time to talk to your doctor. There could be something more serious going on such as sleep apnea. 

One common issue we have that hinders our sleep quality is the blue light emitted from our phones, tablets, computers, and TVs. As tempting as it may be to get some last-minute scrolling time in, it’s recommended to put those electronic devices away before heading to bed. Though incredibly addicting, taking a break from social media can be beneficial. 

Keep an eye on that jaw health!

Bruxism, the condition where you constantly grind or clench your teeth, often goes hand in hand with stress. Much like the chicken and the egg, it can be unclear which one came first. Sometimes it can be an unconscious coping mechanism throughout the night. Other times, bruxism can be caused by underlying problems such as TMJ disorders.

There are many problems that can come from the frequent grinding of teeth, such as tension headaches. If this is an ongoing issue, it would be wise to seek out a neuromuscular dentist to see what can be done.

Dallas Cosmetic Dental is here for you. 

We may not be able to take all the stress out of your life, but we can at least help with anything that might be dental-related. We can help you address your neuromuscular dentistry needs, full mouth restorations, and much more. Whatever your dental health needs, an appointment is just a few clicks away!