The ability to manage stress is vital to your personal and professional success in life. Right now, with everything going on in the world, the ability to manage stress is vital to your survival during COVID-19.

Psychologists say that if you live a more balanced life, you will experience greater long-term success.

Now, more than ever, it calls to live a balanced life. The various stresses that have come with this unexpected pandemic have left many professionals feeling unbalanced.

In an effort to help you regain balance, here are some recommended techniques you can use to manage your stress during this time of COVID-19:

BREATHE: Take time throughout the day to do deep breathing exercises. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth several times a day. This process will help increase the oxygen in your blood. When oxygenated blood flows to your brain, it helps you feel calmer and less stressed.

EXERCISE– Exercise regularly to increase your energy and overall sense of well-being. Whether you train with a Pilates video in your living room; lift weights on your base; join an aerobics class via Zoom; or take a walk around your neighborhood, a regular exercise routine will help your mind and body feel better. Another good benefit of a regular exercise routine is that it will also help improve your self-esteem. A high level of self-esteem makes you feel good about yourself. When you feel good about yourself, you feel like you can handle whatever comes your way. Get in the habit of exercising regularly during COVID-19.

ENJOY SANCTUARY TIME: Carve out time in your day and designate a special place in your home for sanctuary time. This will be the moment for you and only you. Sanctuary time allows you to take moments for yourself. Spend your time in the sanctuary in a place that gives you a renewed sense of peace. Your sanctuary time can be first thing in the morning while you wash in the bathroom; during the middle of the day while meditating in your office; or later in the evening while relaxing in your living room. As long as you have private time to meditate, plan, and find peace, your sanctuary time can be whenever and wherever you choose. Commit to enjoying sanctuary time several times during the week.

VISIT WITH LOVED ONES: maintain your personal and professional relationships during this time. Although social distancing has become the norm, you can still connect with your family, friends, and colleagues. Sure, now you will use technology a lot more to connect with them. The goal is to spend time in conversation, laughter, and connection to keep your spirits high. Phone calls, texts, in-person sessions, Zoom meetings, and virtual parties are all ways you can visit loved ones right now. Commit to visiting a loved one every week until this pandemic is over.

COVID-19 has brought with it many unexpected problems that have thrown the lives of many professionals out of balance. The imbalance is stressing professionals.

The four (4) stress management techniques outlined in this article are intended to help you bring your levels back into balance and remove the sources of stress in your life.

Try them out and let them work for you.