Stress
Stress is a biggie for so many people. It is one of those things that creeps into your life, and often you don't know how stressed you are! But, when you continue to ignore it, it only gets worse and begins to show itself in physical ailments.
Stress has been the one area of health that I personally struggle with most. It has been a HUGE learning curve for me! I have always felt like there isn't enough time or there is simply too much to do. It isn't that the individual tasks or events in my day are stressful, it is just that there are so many of them that leads me to overwhelm.
But then I realized that I am the creator of my time, and how I perceive my time really determines how my day flows. When I wake up feeling like there is simply too much on my plate for that day, it generally IS a stressful time, but when I wake up knowing that I am in control of (most) of my schedule and everything will work out fine, it generally does and I am a whole lot less stressed about it. I now know that there IS enough time each day. I just have to use it wisely and see each event with a little more gratitude.
Like many working moms, I often found it hard to justify taking time for myself. It lead to a whole host of issues for me, so these days, making sure I have an hour doing something for me has become a vital part of my day. At least 30 minutes of this needs to be alone. It is my time to recharge and the time I take to do exactly what I want to do. This might include a guided meditation or soaking in the tub with candles. It might be spending some time doing yoga or stretching. I love to read, so it might be taking 15 minutes to read a chapter of whatever book I am reading at that moment.
I also know I am a better person when I get some sunlight and fresh air. Fortunately, with 2 dogs, I have an easy excuse to get outside! Being in nature makes me feel more grounded and also seems to bring on more creative ideas for work and life in general. Taking a short walk each day, even when I don't want to, is always a good thing.
There are so many tools to deal with stress, and finding the ones that work for you can take some experimenting. I love the Insight Timer app for guided meditation. You can pick how long you would like to meditate and select from many options. You can set a timer and meditate without sound too.
But, I know a lot of people who are not interested in meditation, and this is where I love Dr Chatterjee's "Relax" plan. His simple suggestions from his 4 Pillar Plan aren't hard to implement yet bring a sense of calm. His relax plan recommends:
1. Taking some "me" time - 15 minutes for yourself, alone, doing exactly what you want to do. It can be anything as long as you indulge guilt free.
2. One day a week go screen free - I know this sounds hard, but instead of spending your day on Facebook or watching TV, switch off your devices and get outside or connect with friends. If you can't manage a full day a week, perhaps start with half a day.
3. Keep a gratitude journal. This can be so powerful and change your mindset instantly. When you start to recall the things that you are grateful for, it really doesn't leave much room to feel overwhelmed! I personally keep a journal of events or people that made me happy that day, and I don't beat myself up if I miss a day or two either!
4. A daily practice of stillness. This could be meditation, breathing exercises or some other mindful activity, and doesn't even need to be for very long. Start with 5 minutes and see how it goes!
5. Eat a meal per day at a table without technology - connect with your family or friends, while taking time to enjoy a healthy meal. Not only will you feel less stressed, but your digestion will be better too.
The bottom line is, don't see stress reduction as an added overwhelm. Start small and see the benefits unfold. Everyone can find 10 minutes a day. Start from there and move on!