Our minds and bodies can feel on high alert as we manage the stress of a typical day, which over time can contribute to anxiety, low mood, or disrupted sleep. We explore possible impacts on the nervous system and three strategies that may help improve stress management and encourage rest: catching thoughts, setting boundaries, and practicing sleep hygiene.

Setting boundaries can be hard, especially during the holidays or when demands on our time seem ‘extra.’ We consider reasons why setting boundaries can be difficult, and also consider three possible benefits to boundary-setting that may be helpful to keep in mind.