Stress
“Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one.”
Hello,
We have all experienced some form of stress. Stress occurs when an event or thought creates frustration, anger, or nervousness and can also be triggered by problems you care about that have not been resolved. Stress is the body's reaction to a challenge or a demand and can be helpful in dangerous situations, meeting daily challenges, and reaching goals. Stress is temporary once the fight or flight hormones dissipate, which should level out after a while. When stress becomes long-term, it has side effects such as high blood pressure, anxiety, headaches, and insomnia. The goal with stress is to effectively deal with it by being proactive with a mindset of solving problems and developing coping skills. Use the tips below to help counter stress.
Tip #1: Healthy Mind:
The first step to countering stress is learning to manage it. Managing stress needs acknowledgment of it. Once there is acknowledgment, there is no longer a need to run from it or suppress it from your mind. Determine why you have feelings of frustration, anger, or nervousness. When we examine the root of our stress, it helps eliminate fears by creating awareness. After examining stress causes, focus on being proactive and reactive to future stressful situations, such as avoiding the triggers or developing coping skills if avoidance isn't an option. Thinking of ways to counter stress breaks the stressors into action! Once you have created a grasp on managing your stress mentally, you can use your stress as a motivator to accomplish any of the goals you put in place.
Tip #2: Healthy Body:
What you put into your body and mind will be what you get out of it. Feed the body healthy foods that will boost energy and brainpower. Minimizing caffeine and alcohol will help the brain and body respond to stress. Caffeine and alcohol alter hormones by raising them and can affect the nervous system and alter how our body perceives and responds to stress. Both can hinder the body, disabling the stabilization of hormone levels. Consider eliminating these from your diet to give your body and brain a fighting chance at combating stress.
Additionally, exercise can stabilize excess stress hormones and restore the body, mind, and spirit. It can be as simple as a walk. This exercise can also help improve your sleep at night, which we can all use more rest. Lastly, listen to your body when it is calling out. Take a moment when you notice an increased heartbeat, breathing rate, and perspiration. These subtle signs bring awareness to help you examine your emotions and reactions to prepare you better to manage stress. The only person in control of listening to your body is you. Give it a little more compassion when it is signaling to you.
Tip #3: Talk to Someone:
Stress clouds judgment which can hinder finding clarity to a solution. When problematic situations occur, we can get lost in them. Talking to someone can break up clouds of judgment to help gain perspective and offer new solutions to a problem. Stick with people who have proven trustworthy and supportive of your choices, which will help you understand what you are going through, provide information, and offer assistance. I also want to remind those who identify with religious, cultural, or spiritual stances to turn to your higher being, scriptures, and stories for guidance on easing stress.
Stress is unavoidable; however, we can learn ways to deal with it in the best way possible. Taking time to examine why you are stressed helps you understand how to solve the task. The goal of coping with stress is to be optimistic that you will get through this, problem-solving, and continually develop skills to cope with it. Remember that a healthy you starts with treating your mind and body with appreciation, compassion, and honor.
Stay tuned for next week's blog! If you enjoyed this blog, I would be very grateful if you subscribe and help spread the message to your friends, family, or anyone you have on social media!
Many blessings, and remember, you are a miracle!