Stress Management Tips
Stress can be a good thing….that is in small amounts. Acute/short term stress is beneficial. In fact our stress response is protective, without it humans would not have survived and adapted for as long as we have.
I am sure everyone can think of what stress looks like in their life: kids schedules, bills, spouse, tragedy, work life balance, boss, relationship issues, etc., etc… Then there is technology…we can’t forget that! For it’s many benefits technology also comes with the added stress of being constantly connected.
Our stress response is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, think automatic, it happens without our control. When under stress our stress response is triggered, a chemical cascade happens in our body which impacts every body system: Skeletal, Nervous Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Endocrine, Digestive, Gastrointestinal and Reproductive. The stress response is supposed to turn off once the “danger” has passed. Today we live with chronic stress and the response doesn’t turn off, when this happens the body can become damaged at the cellular level. BUT the good news is: stress can be managed and damage can be reversed. I recently did a lecture on Stress and Fatigue, here are some of the tips I came up with on Stress Awareness and Management. Look for future posts on the process the body goes through under stress.
Tips to Manage and Identify Your Stress Triggers and Response:
Become Aware:
Awareness brings the power to affect change. Even though our stress response is automatic it does not mean we can not help to calm and counteract it. By learning to recognize the stresses we face in our daily life and our own stress symptoms we can adjust our reaction.
- Listen to your body
- Music
- Mindfulness
- Meditation
- Relaxation
- Detoxify your life – remove toxic relationships where possible. Use non-toxic cleaning products – replace with essential oil based products, vinegar, lemon
- Take a break
- Get out in the sunshine – stress depletes Vitamin D
- Have fun!
- Breathe
- Yoga
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Find what heals your soul
- Exercise
- Spiritual practice
- Have a proactive mindset and positive attitude – see the glass as half full not half empty
- Get enough sleep
- De-Clutter
- Have technology free time
- Spend time with good friends and family
- LAUGH
- Give yourself permission to Say NO
We would love to be part of your journey:
Call: (502) 209-7955 or email: [email protected]