Stress is an inevitable part of life. Career, family, friends, taking time for YOU – in the midst of it all, it is hard not to have some stress.
[pullquote]Remember, YOU are important, and taking time to care for yourself is one of the best ways to show self-love and care.[/pullquote]
So if we cannot get away from stress, then we must learn how to manage stress to reduce its negative physical and mental impacts on us. And learn to do this in a healthy way for overall long-term health and well being. Stress not managed in a healthy way can have a severe impact on your health and body, making you age internally as much as 32 years beyond your calendar age!
Check out what the Elephant Journal had to say about managing stress.
1. Community
Hanging out with friends will help you feel better. Spending time with actual human beings boosts our mood. It energizes us, even if it’s people we don’t really know, at some local café. Sharing smiles with people gives us a lasting warm fuzzy feeling.
2. Breaks
No one can thrive when sitting in front of the computer for hours on end, all day long. Take a five-minute break every hour. Walk to the water cooler and rehydrate, do 10 jumping jacks, do a deep forward bend, walk to the break room and refill your coffee cup, have a quick phone chat with a friend, or step outside and take a peek at the sky.
3. Fresh Air And Sunshine
This is important, especially in the winter. Spending time outside breaks up the monotony and reconnects us to nature. An easy way to “cheat” is to walk or bike to work.
If you’ve to take your car, park a few blocks away from the office. If you work at home, a quick walk around the block will suffice (bundle up if it’s cold).
There are really no excuses when it comes to being outside and enjoying the day at least a little bit.
4. Food Cooked With Love
Make sure to eat enough veggies. Eat real food and avoid processed and packaged food. Have a snack— if you’re experiencing mood failure, get your blood sugar up.
5. Meditation
Practice meditation every day for at least 10 minutes. If you’re too busy, meditate for at least a few minutes at a stretch.
Our minds are made for thinking. Consciously taking a break from our thoughts heals stress on many levels. I meditate every day for 10 minutes, first thing in the morning. It makes me feel like I’m cloaked in a protective blanket all day long.
6. Exercises
Our bodies are made to move. We all have a lot of energy and sitting still for too long can drive us crazy.
Exercising, even a little bit, is important every day. It releases negativity and makes us feel good. It gets our heart pumping and our lungs breathing.
Some personal favorites are walking the dog, biking, hiking, yoga, dancing, skiing, snow shoveling, gardening, and sex.
7. House Plants
It’s nice to share space with other living things. House plants are natural air filters. They live on water and sunlight. And that’s affordable! They bring a relaxing and cheerful energy into the room. They are quiet. If you have to vent out some frustration, houseplants are good listeners.
8. Stretch
Practicing yoga, even a little bit, breaks up the” fuzz” between our muscles and fascial tissue. A good stretch can give you the “space” you need to buckle down and take care of your responsibilities.
9. Enough Sleep
Our bodies are rejuvenated with a good night’s sleep. Enjoy a relaxing ritual before bed to ensure a restful night. Have a cup of chamomile tea, meditate, take a hot Epsom salt bath, or read for 15 minutes.
10. Laugh
Read something funny. Talk to someone funny. Watch a funny video. Amuse yourself. Laughter really is the best medicine.
In today’s busy world, it’s easy for anyone to feel overwhelmed; using creative solutions to deal with stress can help us prevent burnout.
