Is it just me?? or are you feeling it also? STRESS...I am not one to stress, or at least not let it consume me. Lately, I am feeling stress all around me. I can feel it deep down, deep into my chest, deep into my stomach. Where do you feel stress? I usually carry it on my shoulders, but this is different...this is STRESS!
There is so much in our environment that we can not control. I don't even want to see the next news report. So what are we to do?? I had to ask myself this question. What am I going to do? I am going back to the things I know about handling stress. The techniques that I have used for 50 years. You know what? They still work.
Let's focus on the things around us that we can control. Mainly, that is ourselves. We may not be able to control the things around us or the things that happen to us in our environments. We definitely can control how we react and handle the situations that are handed to us.
First, let's focus on our minds. What are we letting in? Turn off the TV, close your social media page. Focus on the positive in your life. Positive sources for me are scriptures—upbeat music, and spending time with my family. Think about things that bring you joy, and spend time with them.
Food... are you eating to fuel your body with nutrients or junk?? What we eat gives our bodies the components used to build our body. When you eat protein, our bodies break that down into the smallest component, in this case, amino acids. Amino Acids are the building block to build other proteins in our bodies. Think about how muscle cells are made. What do you think the body builds with... sugar?? NO!! Focus on a healthy diet, knowing that it is strengthening you.
Exercise... is known as a great stress relief. Blood pumping, lymphatic draining, Endorphin released these are definitely mood boosters, and you will have a lasting effect. I personally love to work out with friends. I get the brain happy with endorphins and friends. Relationships are essential to good health and stress. Having a friend to work out with keeps you accountable in getting those workouts complete.
Sleep...try to get the recommended amount of sleep for your body. Sleep is so vital for the body with handling stress. Rest is the body's time to repair and the brain to sort through information. A good sleep pattern is essential for stress relief. Do you have a hard time letting your mind settle when you go to bed? Try diffusing Essential oils, or place the oils on the bottom of your feet. It is imperative to get an oil with the highest naturally-occurring blend of constituents to maximize the desired effect. I can help you find those oils and suggest ones that may help you sleep better.
Try this technique to fall asleep faster... My favorite is tightening every muscle from head to toe, muscle by muscle, tightening, and release. Then take a few deep breaths feeling your belly move up and down. Push all thoughts out of my mind. I tell myself not to think of anything that I will get back to it in the morning. It's amazing how well this works for me.
Bath...have you ever tried a detox bath? There are a few different techniques out there. Here is my favorite. Hot water, pour in while water is running, 1-2 cups Epsom salt, 1 cup baking soda, ½ cup pink Himalayan salt, and a few drops of your favorite Essential oils. Quality matters. Let me know if you need help picking out a high-quality EO. These detox baths can smooth your skin and help relax you. Try one before bed and see if you sleep better.
Deep breathing can help calm the nerves and the fight or flight response. Here are some breathing techniques you may try.
Hera method, breathe out to clear lungs, then close lips and inhale silently through the nose a count of 4(in your head), hold this breath for a count of 7, then a whoos breath out for an 8 count. Stop at any time you feel light-headed—4-7-8 breathing method. I also like to take a deep breath in and a deep cleansing breath out.
Time, priorities, and letting go of "what's good for the best." What do you have on your "to-do" list? Make a schedule of your day. Give yourself time to switch between tasks. Take a good look at your list. Do you love doing everything on your list? Go back through your list. Place at the top things that you have to do. Things that need to be done and things that you want to do. Go back through the list. Are there items that you can delegate to others? Are you doing things that you don't like to do, that do not have to be done? Can you hire someone to do what you do not want to do or bring too much stress to you? Make sure you schedule time to do the things you love and bring you joy.
Smelling... Essential oils, affecting the brain, and imprinting. EOs can enter through the nose and come in contact with the olfactory system. This is an organ in the brain for smell. Oils also interact with the limbic system, the emotional part of the brain. The limbic system controls the heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress levels, and hormone balance. Smells can trigger emotions and memories. Try picking your favorite EO, and when you are happy and relaxed, grab that oil and smell it. Do this often and the next time you feel stress, grab that same oil, and see if it helps you relax.
Grounding... Try the 5-4-3-2-1 method.
Working backward from 5, use your senses to list things you notice around you. For example, you might start by listing five things you hear, then four things you see, then three things you can touch, from where you're sitting, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste.
Hopefully, one or more of these techniques will help you get a handle on stress. If you still feel overwhelmed by stress, please look for a professional in your local area.
God Bless, He wants us to live our lives in abundance, and I believe that is also in joy. John 10:10
"An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up" (Proverbs 12:25, NIV)
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