Okay listen… Manage Stress Like a Pro I’m literally the worst person to be writing about this because half the time I’m still a hot mess. Like right now I’m in my apartment in [some random US city], it’s like 2pm, there’s dishes in the sink from three days ago, my cat just knocked over my water bottle again, and I’m trying to write this while my brain is screaming “YOU SHOULD BE DOING LAUNDRY INSTEAD!!”
But somehow, after years of adulting in this crazy country where everything costs too much and the news is always bad, I’ve collected a few things that actually help me manage stress instead of just white-knuckling through it. These are the ones that stuck—even when I was being a total disaster about it.
Here are my 10 tips to manage stress like a pro (or at least like someone who’s trying really hard and failing 60% of the time lol).
1. The 90-Second Meltdown Timer (It’s Dumb but It Works)
I got this from Jill Bolte Taylor’s book and her famous TED Talk about her stroke . The idea is your body’s stress chemicals only last about 90 seconds—after that you’re just choosing to stay freaked out.
I let myself freak, curse, ugly cry, whatever. Timer dings? I have to stop. It feels ridiculous but it’s honestly one of the best stress management techniques I’ve found.
2. Ice-Cold Face Dunk (Yes I Look Insane Doing This)
When my heart is pounding and my thoughts are racing 1000 mph, Manage Stress Like a Pro I know it sounds extra as hell but it legit slams the brakes on panic.
It triggers something called the mammalian dive reflex. My therapist told me about it and now it’s my go-to when I’m spiraling. Highly recommend trying it—just don’t do it with mascara on lol.
3. Ask “What Would 80-Year-Old Me Think?”
This one sounds super cheesy but it hits different.
When I’m stressing about money or some dumb work thing, I picture 80-year-old me looking back. Would she care that I missed this deadline or spent $12 on coffee? Probably not. She’d probably tell me to chill and go pet my cat or something.
It’s surprisingly good at helping me reduce stress and get perspective.
4. Dance Like an Absolute Idiot for 5 Minutes
I used to try to do “real” workouts when I was stressed and then feel worse when I didn’t do them.
Now I just blast the most embarrassing playlist (right now it’s a lot of early 2000s pop-punk and whatever viral TikTok song is stuck in my head) and dance like nobody’s watching in my living room. Sometimes I film myself and delete it immediately. Movement + laughing at myself = instant mood lift and great stress relief.
Keep owning those living-
5. The Five Senses Grounding Game (When My Brain Won’t Shut Up)
When I’m in full “everything is doomed forever” mode, I do this:
- Name 5 things I can see
- 4 things I can touch
- 3 things I can hear
- 2 things I can smell
- 1 thing I can taste
It’s basic but it yanks me out of my head and back into the room. Works great at 3am when I’m staring at the ceiling catastrophizing.
6. Airplane Mode for One Stupid Hour a Day
I used to be “always on.” Then I realized always on was literally killing my soul.
Now every evening for like an hour I put my phone on airplane mode and hide it in the other room. No notifications, no scrolling, no nothing. It feels boring and amazing at the same time. Best way to handle stress I’ve found in a long time.
7. Write the Worry Down… Then Destroy It
I have this ugly little notebook I call my “worry dump.” When something’s eating me alive I write every horrible thought, every worst-case scenario, in disgusting detail. Then I either rip the page up or (safely) burn it outside.
Getting it out of my brain onto paper helps me cope with stress way better than just letting it loop in my head.
8. 5-Minute “Do Absolutely Nothing” Meditation
I cannot do those 20-minute guided meditations. My brain is too loud and I end up more stressed.
But I can sit still for 5 minutes and do literally nothing. No music, no breathing app, just sit there and let my thoughts be a circus without judging them. Weirdly, it’s become one of my favorite stress management techniques.
9. Keep a “Done List” Instead of a To-Do List
This one legitimately changed my life.
Instead of staring at an endless to-do list that makes me feel like garbage, I keep a “done list.” Every tiny thing I finish—“answered that email,” “took a shower,” “fed the cat”—goes on the list.
Seeing actual proof that I’m not a complete failure helps me manage stress so much better.
10. Call or Text the One Person Who Gets It
Sometimes the best stress relief is just ranting to someone who truly gets you.
For me it’s my college bestie. We send each other unhinged voice memos, scream into pillows on video call, whatever. Having that one person who doesn’t need explanations makes everything feel less impossible.
