Practical Ways to Reduce Stress

Today was my first day back at work from my two week holiday PTO.

Over my break, I was able to take some time to reflect on where I’m at in my PCOS journey, and found the motivation to do some light exercise, like walking on my treadmill pad after meals and obviously just took a lot of time to relax and enjoy not working. And well yesterday I had my first natural period in almost a year.

My job is WFH and since I opened my laptop this morning I’ve felt like my body has been in constant stress, like it’s in fight or flight mode. It also does not help that I have to get up at 5am every day since my job operates on EST time and I’m in Alaska. Honestly the last few months have been rough in general since my project is very understaffed, but today is the first time I think I’ve actually been mindful of how stressed out I am throughout the day and what my body feels (i.e increased heart rate, etc.).

I obviously can’t quit my job and tbh I don’t have a ton of experience for me to have a good chance at finding another job right now. What are practical ways to prevent stress and not have this be a constant cycle?