Stress is something we all experience, and it's normal. It is perfectly normal. When we feel stressed, our body releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which help us get ready to deal with whatever is stressing us out. This is called the "fight or flight" response. I remember when I took psychology class in college that talked about “fight or flight” and talked about what if a tiger came into the room right now, what would you do? At that time, I thought well if that happened I would surely not make it.
But too much stress, especially over a long time, can be bad for us. It can make our heart beat faster, raise our blood pressure, and weaken our immune system. Stress can also affect our mood and make us feel anxious or sad.For me it also gives me quite a headache.
To manage stress, we can use techniques like mindfulness meditation or deep breathing exercises. These help calm our body's stress response and make us feel more relaxed. Sometimes when I’m having my coffee in the morning I do some deep breathing. Or when I was in labor with both my boys I did deep breathing instead of an epidural.
It's also important to address the things that are causing us stress in the first place. This might mean setting boundaries with people or making time for self-care activities we enjoy. And if stress is really getting to us, it's okay to ask for help from friends, family, or a therapist.
By understanding stress and learning how to cope with it, we can take better care of ourselves and feel more in control of our lives. Let's work together to manage stress and live happier, healthier lives.
What is a way you deal with stress? Put it in the comments so we can all help each other.
Here is a self care guide I use.
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it's easy to overlook the importance of self-care. However, taking just a few moments each day to prioritize your well-being can have a significant impact on your overall health and happiness. Here are simple self-care ideas to incorporate into your busy weekdays:
- Start Your Day with Mindfulness: Begin each morning with a few minutes of mindfulness meditation or deep breathing exercises. This can help set a positive tone for the day and reduce stress levels. Personally, I have not tried meditation although I hear it works wonders I plan to try it in the near future. Deep breathing is something I used to get though the pain when I was in labor with both my boys. How I practice this is just doing some deep breaths while I'm waiting for my coffee to brew.
- Take Short Breaks Throughout the Day: Instead of powering through your work without a break, schedule short breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge. Even just a few minutes away from your desk can help boost productivity and focus. With my work there is no way schedule to breaks, but what I do is just walking to the printer and back instead of letting people get papers for me (although I don't mind that at times). I walk up and down the hallway a few times. And I eat lunch in the backroom NOT at my desk.
- Stay Hydrated: It's easy to forget to drink enough water when you're busy, but staying hydrated is essential for your physical and mental well-being. Keep a water bottle with you throughout the day and aim to drink half your body weight in ounces of water per day. If you need to put some flavoring in it that is totally fine as long as it is not filled with sugar. I love to put lemon, peppermint or citrus fresh essential oil in it. Electrolyte drops, like lavender lemonade or ningxia juice is great in it also. Ningxia Red Starter Bundle?sponsorid=4543257&enrollerid=4543257
Incorporating these simple self-care practices into your busy weekdays can help you feel more balanced, energized, and resilient in the face of life's challenges. Remember, taking care of yourself is not selfish – it's essential for your overall well-being and happiness.
Wanting more helpful tips like this grab this free checklist of 10 simple ideas here.
