3 Steps to Better Stress Management

Our bodies are designed to respond to stress, which can a perceived threat or when our resources outweigh the demands of a given situation.  

When this happens, a whole slough of chemicals cascade through our bodies, signaling fight or flight responses that are supposed to keep us safe. Then, our bodies should return to a resting state.  However, since many of us aren’t in danger and we commonly experience a great deal of pressures and responsibilities in many areas of our lives, we commonly experience a permanent state of stress response that results in a lot of negative symptoms, including depression,  anxiety and ill health.

While we cannot eradicate stress completely from our lives, it’s possible to find a way to relate with situations so we experience them as less stressful and to manage the stress we do experience in a more positive way.  Some of the things I often share with people about how to manage stress seem quite obvious, however when we are feeling stressed out, they are the FIRST thing we forget to do.

Listen to Your Body

Seems super obvious, huh?  However, this seems to be the very first thing that is let go of.  Yes, we lose our sense of our bodies in the face of stress.  I know it’s happened to me.  I’ve had nights of feeling overwhelmed with so much work that I needed to get done. So, ignoring my body’s signal of exhaustion and fatigue, I pushed myself forward trying to accomplish more…and most likely at less quality.   Do you know what happened?  I got sick!  And, it cost me a few days of recovery time during which I couldn’t focus on anything because I didn’t feel good. 

If we take the time to listen to what our body tells us in terms of hunger, rest, taking a break…we will feel more productive and be much more healthy in the long run.

Remember to Breath

Another obvious one, eh? Well, not so much.  Haven’t you ever noticed that in a moment when your super overwhelmed or stressed out, that you are holding your breath?    I know we all know this, but sometimes we forget that breathing is what brings oxygen and vital nourishment to our blood cells and bodies. 

Breath is the flow of life. When our breath is constricted, so are we!!!!!

Eat Three Meals a Day

Yes, three meals with protein and carbs, preferably greens.  And, drink 8 glasses of water a day. Snacking without meals messes with our energy levels, as does a large intake of caffeine and sugar without meals.  We need nourishment, minerals, vitamins, protein and starches to sustain our bodies and give us fuel.  The whole purpose of eating is to provide our bodies with the sustenance it needs so we can live. When we eat snacks, drink lots of coffee and eat a lot of sugar,  that impacts our minds and our bodies ability to process experiences, to think clearly and to digest emotional tension.

We are what we eat, so if we eat well, we will live well.

Posted via email from Lotus Coaching