It was National Stress Awareness day last week the 7th of November. What is Stress? Stress is a response to demands on the body and life, it is to perhaps fear or a reaction to a crisis.
So why have a day to make everyone become aware? The answer is that there is not one singular person that will escape the feeling of stress through out a lifetime and therefore it reminds us of the importance of our well being.
Stress has an impact on so many different areas of your life , family, relationships, work and if not taken seriously it can have disastrous consequences.
What can we do about it?
Take stock of yourself, work out your priorities in your life.
Look in a mirror what do you see? Are you content relaxed at ease?
Life is for living, living it in acceptance to your values and beliefs. Do you need or want support to gain a healthy lifestyle?
These are just a few of the questions we should be asking ourselves on a regular basis. My belief is to become the person you want to be and to live the life you deserve.
Here are my top 5 tips to reduce stress.
1. This too shall pass :- (Acceptance)
As stress/anxiety builds up learning to let go of those feelings mentally and physically will help the body to relax. Fighting against these feelings only increases them and makes them more powerful. Acknowledge how you are feeling without too much attention by telling the feelings you accept they are there and carry on doing what you want to do during the day/night.
2. Self Soothe
When faced with an anxiety inducing situation in our bodies the Sympathetic Nervous System triggers physiological changes , whereby your breathing quickens and your adeneline rushes, this is known as the flight or fight response. This is fine in an emergency but not all the time.
Effective ways to activate relaxation is deep breathing from the diaphragm.
Breathe in through the nostrils to a slow count of 3 and gently blow out through your mouth for a count of 3 until your breath regulates.
3. Positive self Talk
Practice reassuring realistic self talk when anxious or stressed and even when not so that it becomes natural.
“This feeling will pass”
“I will get through this”
“I am safe right now”
4. Watch what You Eat And Drink
This does have an impact on our emotional state, Drinking caffeine even in soft drinks, sugars, alcohol even in small amounts can trigger stress and anxiety, panic attacks and an increased feeling of irritability.
Reduce these things very slowly as you can experience withdrawal symptoms, dehydration headaches etc.
An imbalance of bacteria can also be associated with anxiety and mood swings.
5. Get moving
A healthy non obsessive physical routine such a s the gym , running, swimming ,walking pilates yoga etc reduces stress, improves mood and enhances self esteem and energy levels.
Chemicals such as endorphins are released which interact with receptors in the brain causing euphoric feelings and this reduces physical and mental pain.
Making the effort to implement all or some of the above helps you attain the positive mindset that you want.
“Happiness is the result of a persons effort, you fight for it, strive for it and insist upon it. You have to participate RELENTLESSLY”
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