How to Handle Stress While on the Go
Imagine this scenario: you’re enjoying a productive day. After work, you hop in your car eager to head home. Suddenly, the engine light illuminates on your dashboard.
At first, it seems trivial, but then your car unexpectedly starts losing speed while you’re in the fast lane and eventually comes to a standstill. This isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a nightmare I experienced this summer. However, in hindsight, I find a bit of amusement in the chaos, as it helped me feel more like an adult.
Prior to that experience, car issues were unfamiliar territory for me. I remember getting a flat tire once in college, but that was it. When my car faltered this summer, I genuinely feared I was on the brink of a nervous breakdown. As my vehicle slowed unexpectedly, my instinct was to pull over to the shoulder. Here’s a quick tip: if this ever happens to you, pull over and seek assistance. But in that moment, I panicked. With my parents living nearby, I thought it wise to drive to their house for help—but panic fueled my decision-making. I reduced my speed to nearly 5 miles per hour, turned off the AC (it was a blistering 98 degrees that day), and despite having lived in that area for years, I somehow lost my way. Don’t ask me how that happened!
As I crawled forward, trying to input my parents’ address into the GPS, sweat dripped down my brow and my hands trembled. Just then, a groundhog appeared, crossing the road. I attempted to steer around it, but the creature seemed to have a knack for mirroring my every move! Absolutely ridiculous, right? In that moment of sheer frustration, I found myself yelling at the poor animal to get out of the way.
Eventually, I made it to my parents’ home, where I learned that my radiator was broken and needed replacement—thankfully, my dad could handle it. Now, looking back, I laugh at my own antics, but at that time, the stress felt overwhelming.
While there are many potential stressors when you’re out and about—ranging from work deadlines to car malfunctions—how can you effectively cope in those moments when taking a break isn’t an option?
Recognizing Stress Signals
When faced with stress, your body exhibits distinct signals: a racing heart, tight muscles, and sweaty palms. Being able to identify these signals is crucial for managing unexpected stress. For instance, on particularly chaotic days at work, I pay close attention to my breathing. If it becomes rapid and shallow, I know I need to pinpoint the sources of my stress and work on mitigating them.
Homeopathic Solutions
Following my car incident, I resolved never to find myself in such a stressful situation again. While I can’t prevent future issues, I can arm myself with resources to better manage stress (definitely without yelling at unsuspecting animals again). Homeopathic remedies like Rescue can be immensely helpful in those trying moments. Rescue products work in conjunction with herbs, homeopathy, and medications, and they’re suitable for everyone, including children, pregnant women, pets, and the elderly. I often carry their Rescue Pastilles and Rescue Remedy Spray in my bag for those occasionally stressful moments. The lemon-flavored pastilles are all-natural and safe for stress relief. Just one pastille is usually enough to ease my nerves; I keep some tucked away at my desk as well. The Rescue Remedy Spray consists of five natural ingredients, including Rock Rose and Impatiens. It’s simple to use—just spray twice under your tongue. In emergency situations, I absolutely love using the Rescue Remedy Spray, and I only wish I had found it sooner. Both the spray and the pastilles provide almost instant relief for me.
Here’s why I’ve come to love these products: they’re convenient for on-the-go use, made from all-natural ingredients (non-habit forming), and they calm me without making me feel sluggish—something I’ve experienced with other products in the past. As someone who has dealt with anxiety, I’m grateful for these remedies, especially during moments of high stress like my recent root canal procedure (which surprised me as I learned dental anxiety is quite common among adults!). Stress is not something we plan for, but having something handy that can help you relax during an important meeting or exam (whether academic or dental!) is invaluable. Rescue products are not only affordable but also easily accessible—check out your local Whole Foods, GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, Walgreens, or Walmart.
Breathing Techniques
Engaging in breathing exercises is another effective way to alleviate stress quickly. Recently, I discovered a simple technique that can help you regain composure in about 10 seconds, no matter the circumstance. Start by inhaling deeply through your mouth and hold your breath. Then, tense all your muscles—legs, face, neck, and arms—and maintain that tension for 5-10 seconds. Slowly release your breath and relax your muscles. Trust me, this technique works wonders, and the best part? You can do it almost anywhere (with the exception of driving, of course!).
Stress is the body’s natural response to demand. Regardless of whether the experiences triggering stress are positive or negative, your muscles tighten, your breathing accelerates to distribute oxygen and blood throughout your body, and both your heart rate and blood sugar levels rise. When stress arises while you’re on the move—be it from car troubles, a sick child, critical work meetings, or traveling—you can’t always take a step back to calm down. By arming yourself with tools such as recognizing your stress signals, employing a breathing technique, or turning to homeopathic remedies like Rescue products, you can improve how you respond to stress.
How do you tackle the stresses of daily life? Do you have effective strategies that help you unwind and find calmness throughout the day?
This post was sponsored by Rescue.
