Wellness Wednesday: Animal Assisted Counseling of Indiana
Stress Management Strategies That Actually Work
Life moves fast. And sometimes, our minds and bodies can’t keep up with the pressure.
Deadlines. Family demands. Health concerns. Emotional overload. These moments can leave us feeling exhausted, reactive, and unsure of how to cope.
That’s why today’s Wellness Wednesday post focuses on realistic, research-backed, and client-approved stress management strategies. At Animal Assisted Counseling of Indiana, we walk alongside individuals and families who want to feel more emotionally balanced—and sometimes that journey begins with one deep breath and a therapy dog by your side.
🧠 What Is Stress and Why Does It Matter?
Stress is your body’s response to any demand or change—whether good or bad. And while occasional stress is part of life, chronic or unmanaged stress can negatively impact your:
Sleep
Digestion
Mood
Focus
Relationships
Immune system
The good news? Stress isn’t something you have to “just live with.” You can learn stress management strategies that build resilience, regulate your emotions, and support long-term wellness.
🔗 Read more about the effects of chronic stress from the American Psychological Association
🐶 Why Animal-Assisted Counseling Helps Manage Stress
At AACI, we specialize in animal-assisted therapy—a gentle, client-centered approach that integrates trained therapy dogs into the counseling process.
Here’s how therapy dogs can support stress relief:
Offer grounding, soothing presence
Lower blood pressure and cortisol levels
Create a safe, emotionally open environment
Help kids and teens open up without pressure
Many clients say the presence of a therapy dog instantly helps them feel calmer and more “held,” even on the hardest days.
📘 Explore the benefits of therapy dogs for emotional regulation
🧘♀️ 1. Breathwork & Grounding
When your nervous system is in overdrive, breathwork is one of the fastest ways to bring it back into balance.
Try this 4-7-8 breathing technique:
Inhale for 4 seconds
Hold for 7 seconds
Exhale for 8 seconds
Repeat for 3–4 cycles
Bonus: Try it while petting a therapy dog for added sensory grounding.
🗓️ 2. Create Micro-Routines
You don’t need a full lifestyle overhaul to manage stress—just small, predictable routines that create a sense of control.
Consider:
Morning check-ins with yourself or a journal
Afternoon walks (with or without your dog!)
Five-minute evening wind-down with music, candles, or stretching
✍️ 3. Write It Out
Journaling is a powerful outlet for stress. Writing gives form to the swirl of emotions and can help you gain clarity.
Try prompts like:
“Right now I’m feeling…”
“Today, I need…”
“One small win today was…”
This works especially well for teens who may feel overwhelmed but unsure how to verbalize their thoughts.
🌳 4. Move Your Body
Movement helps process stress hormones and release physical tension. This doesn’t mean you need to hit the gym—just move in ways that feel good.
Ideas:
Take a walk with your child or pet
Stretch gently while listening to music
Try beginner yoga or tai chi in your living room
🫂 5. Connect—Even Briefly
Stress often makes us withdraw, but connection is one of the most powerful ways to regulate the nervous system.
Consider:
Texting a friend
Scheduling a therapy session
Talking with a partner about how you’re feeling
Cuddling with your dog or child
👨👩👧 Stress Management Strategies for Families
At AACI, we support families navigating high-stress situations—from school transitions and parenting teens to grief and chronic illness.
Some family-friendly stress tips:
Designate “quiet time” or “device-free” windows
Practice breathing exercises as a family
Take mindful walks together with a pet
Use visual emotion charts with younger children
🐾 AACI: Helping You Manage Stress, One Session at a Time
You don’t have to do this alone.
If you’re ready to explore stress management strategies with professional support—and the comfort of animal-assisted therapy—we’re here to help.
Located in Munster, Indiana, Animal Assisted Counseling of Indiana provides:
Individual and family counseling
Support for anxiety, trauma, grief, and burnout
Therapy enhanced by our loving, trained therapy dogs
🗓️ Schedule your first appointment
📍 In-person and telehealth options available
🎯 Wellness Wednesday Task:
Pick one stress management strategy from this list and try it for 5 minutes today. Notice how your body feels before and after.
💬 And remember: stress doesn’t mean you’re broken—it means you’re human. Support is always within reach.