I often find myself feeling constantly stressed or worried. My mind tends to prioritize everything the moment it comes up, which helps me get things done quickly, but it also takes a serious toll on my mind and body.

Over time, that stress started to impact my health, especially my gut and skin. I was lucky to have clear skin in high school, with only the occasional breakout. But around 2010, I began struggling with severe acne. I’ve tried everything from Proactiv to blue light treatments, and nothing seemed to work long-term.

In the past year, I visited a chiropractor to evaluate my stress levels. I learned that my nervous system was stuck in a constant “fight or flight” state. Even more eye-opening was discovering that my stress was directly linked to my gut issues, acne, and frequent headaches.

In my opinion, stress management isn’t one-size-fits-all. People often suggest things like yoga, and while it can help at times, there are days when my mind is so overwhelmed that even that doesn't make a dent. The list below includes strategies I’ve developed for myself. I’m sharing them in the hope that they might help someone else, too.

1. Good Nutrition - I have realized that when I eat greasy, processed foods, it affects my gut and my skin. When I am having skin or gut issues, I am stressed. No one wants a bad breakout right before they go in front of a big group in a meeting. Stomach issues can also cause a lot of bloating and pain. This can put your body under stress. Eating lean, clean, and green will help support your energy and protect your skin and gut. I have also noticed that the cause of my eating badly is most likely the result of my being stressed. So my advice is to plan your meals ahead of time, which will help you make better choices.

2. Perspective - One thing that comes to mind every time I think of perspective is pastor Steven Furtick (elevationchurch.org). He preaches a lot on outlook, perspective, and frame of mind. Your outlook on a situation is exactly how you will see it. If you put things in a more positive perspective, you will have a more positive outcome. You cannot control people or situations; you can only control how you react to them. Changing your perspective can change your stress levels completely. When I start to feel stress in a situation, I stop and think, I am not the controller of this situation. I cannot control people or what they do. This is a good reality check for me.

3. Relax – Do something that relaxes you. Some people like yoga, some people like to draw or write. Something that I like to do is make some herbal tea and journal about my day, taking note of the good and bad and how I can make tomorrow better. Sitting and reflecting on life and how grateful I am is such a stress reliever. I also like to sit with my legs against the wall and my back flat on the floor, arms lying by my side. And I just lie and try to clear my mind.

4. Vent – Talk to a friend, your spouse, or parent about your stress. One thing I always did was keep my feelings bottled up until my stress couldn’t handle it anymore, and I wanted to bust. Get those feelings out in the open the right way. Even if you write your feelings in a journal, you are still getting them off your chest. I keep a few journals. I have a positivity journal, my spiritual journal, a workout journal, and a food journal. I love notebooks, so I always have one lying around for when I need to vent. For me, writing is the best way to get my feelings out.

5. Pick a hobby - As most of you know, my hobby is working out. Getting in a good workout helps to relieve my stress. Even at work, when I have a break, I will try to take a walk outside. Taking a quiet moment to walk with your thoughts really does help. I also love writing in my blog. So when I am stressed and I create a new post, I feel like that somewhere in the world I may have helped someone. That really inspires me and helps with my stress levels.

Changing my perspective, trying to relax more, and knowing that I am not in control of the world has truly helped me with my stress levels.

If there is something you do for stress, comment and let me know. You may help someone struggling with the same issue.