Stress! Exhilarating or Debilitating!
Stress is a normal part of life, and not always a bad thing! It can be debilitating or exhilarating! Some people thrive on stress to get things done however, when it starts to overwhelm and distress you it can have a negative effect on your health, wellbeing, relationships, work and general quality of life. Stress is a natural human response to a situation which you think you cannot manage. Basically, it's when we experience an imbalance between the demands being made on us and our resources to cope with those demands. Our attitude, personality and approach to life will surely influence how we respond to stress. The old adage 'prevention is better than a cure' is certainly true for managing your stress. Here are 10 top tips to self-soothe and help you navigate your way to a more calm and relaxed space:
Regular exercise - bring movement & awareness into your body!
Socialise & connect with others – catch up with a friend or even wander down to the park and watch the local footy team play – you don’t have to talk to feel engaged and part of a community!
Make healthy food choices - lots of fruit & vege & try to avoid fatty, sugary foods
Take time out - RELAX! Have your morning cuppa under the tree in your backyard, get your hands dirty in your garden, or read that book ‘you’ve never had time for’!
Avoid drinking, smoking or other drugs to relax - self-medicating is only a temporary relief which can exacerbate your issues even further!
Sleep - yoga, meditate, listen to music or read before going to bed
Enjoy cultural, spiritual & social activities - embrace DIFFERENCE! Be open to new perspectives!
Look for humour! A good belly laugh is medicinal!
Know your limits - set REALISTIC & ACHIEVABLE expectations for yourself
Balance your personal and professional roles - set some boundaries around your work practices so that you can sit at the family table for dinner at least twice per week
Make a commitment to yourself! Name at least 2 things that you can start doing straight away to support your wellbeing!