RSS
Home
Reducing stress
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
It is a common side effect of overcrowded schedules, twelve hour days and money problems. It can cause any number of health issues including high blood pressure, weight gain, and headaches. There is no magic bullet. There is no snap your fingers solution. It is critical that you understand where your stress comes from, and it is imperative that you do what you can to alleviate stress and reduce stressors.
Know what you are putting into your body and how it affects you – Many of us are react to stress by eating or drinking things we wouldn’t normally touch or in quantities that are over the top. This response to stress is twofold – poor food choices don’t help our body react the way that it should, and many of us feel guilty (a.k.a more stressed) when we think about our poor choices. Your body needs certain nutrients to respond to and overcome stress. Make sure you are getting vitamins, protein and carbohydrates.
Pay attention to your caffeine intake - I’m not talking about eliminating your daily cups of coffee. Pay attention to how much you are drinking. If you are drinking soda, can you substitute one or two a day with caffeine free varieties? Can you make your morning mocha half de-caf?
Practice short bouts of meditation – take 5 to 10 minutes to slow your breathing and only focus on your breathing. Ten minutes seems like a long time when you are first starting, but meditation can help reduce stress and boost energy. Breathe deeply for 4 counts in and 6 counts out. Repetitive counting keeps my mind from wondering too far. When your mind moved to all of the things you “should” be doing, move yourself gently back to counting your breathing.
Use humor – you need to laugh. Even when you don’t think anything is funny. Use stupid e-mails from friends, kids jokes or The Onion to generate some chuckles. Over the years, I have collected items into a “Fun Folder” that I keep in my desk. I have been known to pull something out and laugh. It’s contagious. Many people will stop by to see what is so funny. One thing to be aware of is not to use humor at another’s expense. When we are stressed we tend to be defensive. Don’t let your claws come out with biting humor. use
Expend physical energy - many experts will tell you to work out. If you don’t have a regular workout routine, you will still benefit from expending the energy that get’s bottled up from stress. Sprint up and down the stairs a couple of times. Squeeze a stress ball repeatedly. Go for a walk at lunch time. Stand up in your office when you talk on the phone. If you have a place to do it safely, hit something.
Be kind to yourself and to others – Stress brings out the worst in us sometimes. Don’t be hard on yourself. Be empathetic to others. This is a good time to list 3 things each day that you are grateful for.
Resources
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
