Stress Relief

All people experience stress. It’s a part of life! Even though you can’t avoid stress completely, you can take simple steps to better handle it in your own life.

I’ve learned that asking a friend to help me with a few small errands actually takes a big load off me.

Talk it out

For many people, talking about problems with a friend or a counselor can help relieve stress. Get tips now to help you talk to the people who matter to you. If you have trouble saying what’s weighing you down, try writing about it!

It’s okay to say “no”

Look at your calendar for the coming weeks. Mark any stressful times you know are coming—the start of school, the holiday season, or busy times at work. You may want to get rid of any events that aren’t 100% necessary. It’s really okay to say no!

Ask for help

Are there times you could use help or tasks you need an extra hand with? Maybe it’s picking up the kids when you have a doctor’s appointment. Or cleaning the house before company arrives. Take note of when you may need help—and go ahead and ask for it.

Try relaxation exercises

Deep breathing, imagining peaceful locations, journaling, and picturing better health may help you de-stress. Consider yoga (with the okay from your doctor) or meditation.

Do your own thing

What reduces stress for your sister or best friend may do nothing for you! Make whatever helps you feel better a regular part of your life.

View Kia’s Transcript

ON-SCREEN TEXT:

Us in Lupus

We’re better together.

ON-SCREEN TEXT:

Kia Adams

Lupus Warrior

KIA:

It took about six years to be diagnosed.

My name is Kia Adams, and I was diagnosed with lupus in 2016.

One thing that a lot of people with lupus deal with, I call it the flakiness effect.

You’re tired, you might really want to go out with your friends or something that you’ve really been looking forward to and, last minute, you can’t.

You can’t because you physically can’t.

ON-SCREEN TEXT:

“YOU CAN’T BECAUSE YOU PHYSICALLY CAN’T.”

KIA:

When I was first diagnosed, I didn’t tell anybody.

I just took my medicine and tried to stay healthy.

As I was scrolling through Instagram, I found out that a girlfriend of mine ALSO had lupus, because she was fundraising for it. And I had no clue.

I’m like “Wait, I have lupus! And oh, there’s walks and runs and support for this!”

It’s really important to have a lupus support group.

GSK’s Us in Lupus site was really cool for me because it gave free resources, and they will send you a whole kit to help you with symptoms.

Just to have people surrounding you and supporting you and understanding you—

you can’t beat it.

I am a runner, I love running.

Running has really helped me to decompress, take a deep breath.

Stress management is really important.

ON-SCREEN TEXT:

“Stress management is really important.”

KIA:

Sometimes we’ll say no woman is left behind, and it can be used in the running community and in the lupus community.

You’re not alone. You have a whole community to support you.

ON-SCREEN TEXT:

“YOU’RE NOT ALONE. YOU HAVE A WHOLE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT YOU.”

KIA:

Stay stress-free, and fight on.

ON-SCREEN TEXT:

Us in Lupus

We’re better together.

Find your favorite way to shake off stress

Lupus warrior Kia thought she was alone until she came across a friend’s social media post for a lupus fundraiser run. Running became a rewarding way for her to relieve stress and connect with others. What helps you to recharge?

Move it

Exercise may help lower stress in some people. Before you start, make sure your doctor says it’s okay to exercise. And once you get the green light, take a walk, go for a bike ride, or do anything physical that you like that fits in your management plan.

Stress Relief

Talk it out

Learn more about living with lupus.