MANAGING STRESS
UNDERSTANDING HOW YOUR BODY SPEAKS TO YOU
Your body's form of communication is 'bio-feedback' - aka physiological signs and symptoms. Your body speaks to you, it's just about better understanding how we can listen. For example...
Sleep (are you getting enough/waking in the night?)
Hunger (are you ravenous all the time?)
Digestion (do you have regular bowel movements? Gas? Bloating)
Exercise recovery (are you sore all the time?)
Energy levels (are you frequently tired?)
Mood (do you feel irritable often?)
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
When we are going through high seasons of stress we may find these areas are impacted. But many people walk about life with no idea that their bodies are crying out for change.
These also provide us with not only areas to work on but also a means of measuring how much our personal 'stress bucket' can hold.
MOVING ON: MINDSET
Those of us who believe stress is damaging: who believe we are limited, unable to handle things tend to have higher stress responses.
BUT
Those who see stressful situations as challenges, or something they have ability to work through and overcome, are often more resilient and able to handle stress better.
BUT WE CAN BECOME MORE RESILIENT: The first step is awareness
+ Where are you on the above mindset continuum? This may show up differently in different parts of your life. It can be helpful to pay attention to the way you speak to yourself. Why do you think this way?
+ Similarly, can you notice when you feel stressed? How does that show up for you? What are the feelings? What are the thoughts? What are the triggers?
FINALLY: a few tools for self-protection
A few tools (most of them I am sure you have heard - but it doesn't hurt to remind ourselves) that can be used both reactively and in a preventive nature:
+ Yoga
+ Good sleep
+ Flow state
(think losing yourself in creating art/ playing music)
+ Breathe work
+ Affirmations
+ Journaling
+ Being in nature (phone free)
+ Meditation
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