Stress is everywhere. It appears when your phone beeps in the morning, and you receive a text message asking you to arrive at work early. It comes when a bill arrives in the mailbox, when the in-laws suddenly appear at the door, or when you begin to feel sick.
What makes you feel stressed? I’m a planner, and when a situation comes up that is unexpected, I can lose my cool very quickly. I feel the knots in my stomach, become short tempered, and I hyper focus on the details so much I am unable to prioritise what is really important.
Over time, stress can take a huge toll on our physical and mental health. We are more susceptible to illness and our immunity suffers, we can experience insomnia, are continually tense, and our blood pressure goes up. You and I both know that a small stressor is the straw that can break the camel’s back, and soon even the most miniscule things can set us off. Lots of us live in constant stress, and it is the unwelcome guest in every conversation, every outing and even our dreams. When it’s not monitored, stress can have a detrimental effect on our lives.
The good news is that there are some basic steps we can put in place to combat stress.
Small things like eating a healthy diet, exercising and making ‘you’ time can help you to it on a leash. Get organised and make a list, or plan a situation or event on paper. Journal about your feelings, play music and talk to a loved one about how you are feeling.
No matter how stressed we feel, we never have to carry the weight of life alone. By opening up and sharing life with the people around us, we alleviate the stress we feel and often, realise the situation is not as big as we once thought it was.
What are your favourite ways to de-stress? Perhaps you like to find a solitary place and read a good book, or maybe getting out all your nervous energy with a good run is more your style. Whatever technique works for you, make a point to schedule in ‘you’ time and take care of yourself. Life may be stressful, but we can control how we respond to it. So take charge and take care of yourself. You’ll be amazed at the long term benefits these simple practices can have on your health and wellbeing.
Take a look at this image by MyMentalHealthDay.org for more ways to manage stress.
Do you feel stressed? Are you looking for creative ways to relax and enjoy life? Then here’s what you need to do: contact Colleen on 0434 337 245 for a FREE 10-minute phone consultation on how she can best help you, or press book now.
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