Today is National Stress Awareness Day and today I wanted to give you 3 steps to follow, to reduce your stress both quickly, and in the long term.
If you have ever experienced stress you will know that it can lead to all kinds of emotions and health problems. We can experience short term stress, which is a response to something that is happening in the moment. Or we can experience long term stress, often referred to as chronic stress, and this can become a long term problem.
Stress, if left untreated, can lead to things such as insomnia, depression, long term anxiety, palpitations, rapid heartbeat, aches, migraines, hormonal imbalance, and can even lead to serious conditions such as stroke and heart attack.
This is why nipping stress in the bud, and trying to control it as soon as we become aware of it is really important. Here, on National Stress Awareness Day are my 3 ways in which you can reduce your stress so that it does not turn into a bigger problem.
BECOME AWARE OF WHAT STRESS LOOKS AND FEELS LIKE FOR YOU.
The first thing is to learn what stress looks and feels like for YOU. What happens for you might not be the same as what happens for other people and we live in a world where everyone turns to Google.
Just because your friend announces over coffee that she thinks you are experiencing stress right now – does not mean that it is true for you. Ask yourself, what YOU feel the signs and symptoms of stress look like for you. Write them down as a reminder if you have to. And think about the really EARLY signs of stress too.
For example, it could start with worry – which then leads to you not sleeping right. This then turns into a week of not sleeping right and before you know it … insomnia. Look for the ROOT CAUSE and SYMPTOMS and then you will be in a much better position to stop it in its tracks.
LOOK AT YOUR PERSONAL BOUNDARIES AND TRIGGERS.
More often than not when we experience stress, we have a situation, or even a person, who we can relate the stress back to. Have a think about what or who could be your TRIGGERS. This can feel difficult particularly if it is somebody that you are close to. Then, think about setting healthy boundaries.
For example, if there is someone in your life who is demanding too much from you learn the power of saying no.
HAVE SOME HANDY ‘IN THE MOMENT’ STRESS REDUCING TIPS – AND USE THEM.
Taking in a deep breath and simply making a conscious choice to disconnect from whatever is stressing you can really change things.
As can trying a technique such as Havening. Cross your arms and rub your arms up and down, this helps you to soothe your parasympathetic nervous system and bring your awareness back into the present moment.
I am of course, always here to help you. if you feel that stress is something that you regularly struggle with, it may be that something else is happening under the surface for you. For example, long term anxiety can be associated with stress, as can a fear or phobia.
Get in touch and book a one to one call with me, let’s get to the bottom of what is going on for you and see if the best move would be for you to work one to one with me.
Have a great day,. whatever you are up to and remember to take some time out for YOU.
Chris.
