Becoming more aware and mindful of not only yourself, but the life around you grants one the ability to step back into control of their perception. Mindfulness is a practice of stepping out of the mind and into the present. By bringing awareness to the now, we allow ourselves to let go of the worries that plague us. An article looking into the neuroscience of mindfulness meditation found that numerous changes within the brains structure have been correlated with the practice of mindfulness meditation. With the ability to affect two major pathways in the brain that handle stress, mindfulness practices gives an individual the chance to rewire the way their brain functions and responds to stressors.

Finding support within your life is a crucial step in building your resilience towards stress. When you feel supported and connected, you not only feel more confident within yourself, but you are also feel stable knowing that you have a support system to lean on when times get rough. A meta-analysis posted within the Psychiatry Journal discussed how findings from animal and transitional studies found that social support reduced stress-induced cortisol releases that are found during the stress response. Although the direct affect of social support on stress levels is still being further investigated, it can be said that it offers effective coping strategies which have a positive impact on numerous biological factors.

Time and time again, we have heard how our diet plays a huge role within our health. There is a reason for this, as this statement is supported by mountains of evidence showing that if the body is properly fueled, it will function properly. When it comes to better managing stress, our diet can be a big contributor. An article posted in the Journal of Psychopharmacology went on to discuss how a well balanced diet, with correct nutrients for the individual, has the ability to improve brain functions, lower blood pressure, improve circulation, cut back toxins and increase of immune functions. You don’t have to eat super healthy nor do you need to adopt a completely new diet. One should focus on mindful eating practices and consuming a diet that is 80/20, which is 80% healthy and 20% pleasure.

Physical movement of the body holds more benefits that we know. Our bodies are meant to flow, and when suspended within a state of stagnation, we can feel its negative affects. When it comes to helping our bodies adapt better to stress, physical movement has been shown to be more beneficial than preciously thought. An article posted to The American Psychological Association discussed how research has uncovered that physical stress from exercise can help make the body more resilient. This is due to exercise being able to spike the stress response in the body. For individuals who get their bodies moving, they experience lower levels of cortisol and epinephrine after physical activity. This is crucial as when we are chronically stressed out, these hormones can become overabundant within the bloodstream.