BODY, MIND, and BALANCE
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Stress Management! Unless you are dead, you are going to have stress! The question is how can we best manage it? There are many ways to successfully cope with the stressors that we experience in our lives. I have listed four ways to positively cope with stressors that take very little time, require very little money, and are very easy to do. If you are game, try one for a week and see how it goes. Then add another strategy until you are incorporating all of them so it becomes a routine. It can certainly make a big difference over the long term in terms of your physical and psychological health! LEARN TO MASTER THE POWER OF THOUGHTS AND LANGUAGE! Our
thoughts and language can influence our feelings which in turn can influence our
behavior. Cognitive psychologists have incorporated this technique with their
clients for the past several years by having clients reframe their thoughts and
language to a more positive and optimistic perspective. This leads to more
positive feelings (happy versus depressed) which leads to more productive and
positive behaviors. Think about your own thought patterns and vocabulary that
you use on a daily basis. Do we label a situation a catastrophe when the
restaurant does not have the appetizer that we wanted? Maybe it is a bit
disappointing, but is it a catastrophe? A catastrophe is when you wake up in the
morning and your right leg and upper row of teeth are missing! Keep it in
perspective. This takes very little time to do and cost no money. AN INSTANT AND HEALTHY WAY TO BEAT STRESS IS EXERCISE! Research over the past decades has shown that a brisk fifteen minute walk on a daily basis can reduce stress. It raises serotonin levels which improves mood. It releases endorphins which elevates one’s mood and reduces stress. It also improves aerobic capacity which allows us to possess more energy. Fifteen minutes is not much time to devote to this and walking is free. A gym membership is about $20 a month and you could swim, bike, strength train, and more there. If your insurance reimburses you, you are basically getting a free gym membership!
Laughing releases endorphins which is good for you and laughing only takes a few seconds to do and is free. Laughing also enhances the immune system. Now with Youtube and other internet links, you can set up your own comedy break with your favorites and take a few minutes a day to laugh. For those with long driving times to work, put in a CD with one of your favorite comedians. This takes very little time and cost very little plus it is fun.
Many of us probably have no problems with people asking for our time. However, to do one thing a day for ourselves that we enjoy might require us to invest some time initially until it becomes habitual. Try to aim for a few minutes a day and see if that can eventually extend to fifteen minutes daily or longer. Find activities that are convenient, cost little, and are enjoyable. Some examples might include a talking to a friend, taking a warm bath, going for a little walk, writing, drawing, meditating, listening to music-you get the idea. Fifteen minutes a day adds up to ninety hours a year! It takes very little time, can be free or cost very little, and is enjoyable. I hope that you have enjoyed the above suggestions. Take what is useful to you and incorporate other stress busters in your life that you feel will be beneficial to you. |
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Created: 12/24/05 |
