5 Ways To Be Less Stressed

Challenges in everyday life can be plentiful. Sometimes we have the resources to deal with them effectively and easily, and sometimes, we don’t. Oftentimes when we don’t, the consequence is that we tend to feel a lot pressure building up and that leads to stress.

Dealing with stress to some degree is a normal part of life. However, experiencing a high level of stress, especially for a long period of time, can have negative consequences to our health and well-being. It can lead to anxiety, depression, heart disease, headaches, more body aches and pains, skin problems, troubles sleeping and loss of memory and other cognitive functions.

There are some things that are not in our control in a given situation. These are things that, no matter what we do, we can’t change the status quo.

I certainly have had periods in my life where I have felt more stressed, they were either because

a). There were more stressors in my life at the time. Such as the period of time when I became a new mother.

or

b). There were relatively less stressors, but I was lacking in the resources to cope. Such as times when I was deprived of sleep, In these times I have less energy, patience and I feel less confident in my abilities to manage the important things and responsibilities of the day.

We all have these moments, right? But each day we can do something to help decrease our levels of stress and increase our feel-good emotions and help us better face the challenges of our day.

Here are 5 tips YOU can try to BE LESS STRESSED:

1. Tell yourself ‘I am ENOUGH’.

Haven’t done the dishes for days? Feeling like you’re failing in life? Don’t feel pretty today? It’s ok,

YOU ARE ENOUGH.

You are human, you’ve faced challenges throughout your life and the fact that you are here reading this right now is proof that you have definitely risen above them, Go you!!! Even if life isn't perfect and we can't all do things in the most perfect (i.e. Instagrammable) way.....know that YOU ARE ENOUGH. You have something special to bring into the world, you are unique AND you are YOU. Embrace your ups, embrace your downs. Lets these be lessons learned that only serve to propel you forward.

SAT THIS with me - I am ADEQUATE, I am VALUABLE, I am ENOUGH. xx

2. Smile at someone who passes you by – even if you don’t feel like it

They say a smile can make someone’s day. Everyone is walking through life with their own share of burdens and struggles. When you smile, you can actually change the way you feel inside. When you smile at someone else, you may or may not positively impact their day…but, if you do…you’ve already made the world a better place. A similar action is to be more patient and quicker to forgive – e.g Someone cut you off on the road? Instead of yelling abuse and getting all worked up, why not be thankful that you did not get into an accident; let the fear and anger pass and let your calmer reaction set you on a more positive trajectory - for at least that part of the day.

3. Breathe Deeper and Keep Moving

Before you get out of bed in the morning, take a few deep breaths – in and out. Let the oxygen fill your lungs (and breathe out the carbon dioxide, of course ). This vital oxygen gets transported to the rest of your body via red blood cells. Oxygen – it’s free, it’s life-giving – breathe it in! Being mindful of your breathing 1st thing in the morning helps you to FOCUS your thoughts and not let the tumble of things TO DO crowd your headspace before you can even take a breath. [STAY TUNED for my upcoming post on Mindfulness].

Also...

Keep moving. When you are active, you get your heart rate going, you move the different joints throughout your body, your circulation often improves. This can result in better health – less aches and pains, more energy and the release of more feel good endorphins which can lead to LESS STRESS!

Some of us are more flexible, while some stronger, while some are less mobile. No matter what shape, size or movement capacity - if you can exercise/walk/run/dance/ride a bike or move in any way, pain free – then, whenever and wherever you can, DO IT! Oh and YOU can CHOOSE THE WAY THAT YOU GROOVE.....as long as you MOVE!!

4. Think of something you are thankful for in your life

New York Times writer, Eric Barker wrote something in his article “New Neuroscience Rituals That Will Make You Happy”, which really struck me. It pretty much stated that – if you try to think of what you’re grateful for – it doesn’t actually matter if you come up with specific things or not– the fact that you're brain is searching for that positive stuff/things that you’re thankful for – the neurotransmitter Dopamine in your brain increases (and in effect, works like some anti-depressants do!). So, seek that good stuff out!

5. Practice Self-Kindness and do something nourishing for yourself each day

It’s easy to get carried away with the tasks you need to accomplish each day and sometimes we can end up being completely depleted. Whether you’re swamped with deadlines, have dependants to care for or you've been working hard to achieve some goals that require all your time and energy – you NEED to take some time out to LOOK AFTER YOU.

It can be as simple as reading a good book on the bus ride home, writing an in a journal, catching up with a friend over coffee or taking a walk in nature.

Or you can spoil yourself a little! Go and get dressed and enjoy a fancy meal, get your hair and nails done, go on a mini holiday or (one of my fave self-care go-to's) GET A GOOD THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE!

Massages can help your muscles relax, posture improve and aches and pain decrease. Massages can also help to restore balance and make you feel more whole - in body, mind and spirit. A good massage can help you feel you feel renewed with a greater sense of strength, calm and well-being.

Don't forget to schedule these self-care dates into your calendar.

When you can see them on paper (or on iCalemdar or Google :P),your brain will register these physical prompts/events which can help to get you excited for things to look forward to! This technique can also be a way to help banish burnout or at least keep it at bay. So make sure you book these in!

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Try these tips out!

When you’re OK, you're better able to cope with life's daily stresses.

With each challenge that we face, we can only take control of our own responses, attitudes and actions. I hope that the above strategies can help in some way to decrease the intensity of stress in your life - or maybe even reverse some of the many effects stress has on the body!

Best wishes for your day and may you be well!

x Michelle

Mind Body and Balance Massage

RELAX | REJUVENATE } RECHARGE