How do you cope with stress?
Everyone I know has experienced some level of stress in their life. Some days are worse than others, some situations more stressful.
Stress is your body’s natural response to demand and is like a two sided coin.
One side helps you deal with life’s demands – this is the “fight or flight” response that switches on automatically when we feel threatened by something or someone.
The other side, if ignored, will cause health issues in your life.
Now, more than ever before, you find yourself rushing around to cope with the demands of your life. You are a busy mum working and taking care of your family. You do your best to plan and stay on top of things, but life is hectic.
After helping hundreds of business owners and employees for over 30 years, I’ve seen how stress impacts their moods, their health and their lives.
So how do you reduce the negative impacts of stress in your daily life?
Before I share some quick, easy and simple ways to reduce your daily stress, let me give you some vital information on what stress does to your body.
Your adrenal gland releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, in response to your reaction to stress. As I mentioned earlier, this is known as the “fight or flight” mechanism which is a protective response by the body.
When this kicks in, you’ll feel a surge of energy. Not only that, but you could also experience muscle tightness, faster breathing and sweating.
I recommend to my clients that it is best to deal with the stressful situation as soon as possible and then move on.
However, if you are under constant stress, then the increased cortisol level will lower your immune function. This means it has a negative effect on your overall health.
The constant surge of cortisol levels in your blood stream causes several impacts on your body. Such as:
- affects bone density
- increases blood pressure
- increases cholesterol
- increases sugar levels
- impacts digestion
- reduces the quality of sleep
- increases weight
… And the list goes on
It’s important that you understand your stress levels so you can support yourself properly. The best way to do this is to deal with the stressful situation as soon as possible. Sort through it, move on and nurture yourself.
Fortunately, you can reduce the negative effects of stress in many ways.
Here are some quick, easy and simple suggestions for you:
- take a warm bath
- have a massage
- listen to soothing music
- plan for a quiet time during the day
- take a walk
- watch comedy and really laugh
- do gentle exercise
- read a book
- walk a dog
- pet a cat
- sing out loud
- sit by the ocean, a river or lake
- pray and meditate
In my experience when I’m rushing to cope with many demands, I actually stop breathing. What about you?
I discovered I stop breathing whenever I approach traffic lights. If the traffic light is green, then I stop breathing because I hope it won’t change to red before I cross through the intersection. Now that I am aware of it I use breathing in a positive way.
In fact, here is a simple way to help relieve the effects of stress whenever you are stressed. Breathe in deeply, then breathe out. Doing this calms the nervous system and reduces stress hormones.
When you are rushing around, feeling overwhelmed, frustrated or angry – just remember to inhale deeply, then breathe out and relax.
Caution – if you are working or driving, do not hold your breath after breathing in. Simply breathe in and out a couple of times.
When you inhale deeply, it calms you down. In fact, deep breathing may put you to sleep if you are tired or if you lack sleep. To get a peaceful night’s rest breathe in deeply, hold your breath and then exhale slowly.
Taking a deep breath relaxes your body, boosts oxygen, elevates your mood, releases tension, improves digestion, detoxifies, improves stamina and encourages your body cells to start repairing themselves.
Breathing deeply also helps your lungs eliminate 70% of toxins and toxic waste. On the other hand, poor breathing reduces the oxygen your cells receive, slows your blood flow, weakens your lymphatic system and affects your digestion.
The next time you are facing a stressful situation, be aware of your breathing. Are you holding your breath? Or are you breathing deeply?
Remember, breathe well to live well.
If you enjoyed this blog and want to know how I can help you take back control of your health and well-being, then Click here.
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