Stress is inevitable. That being said, there is good stress & not-so-good stress. It's not really about eliminating it, it's about shifting perspective on it & developing habits or ways of thinking that help you feel a greater control over it in your life.
There are a few things I did that helped my stress levels tremendously. Last RealFit in 5 video (how I converted from sugar burner to fat burner) I mentioned how my cortisol levels where elevated at certain times of the day when they shouldn't be. Stress was the contributing factor to that occurrence & only I could do something about it.
The 5 tips I share today are exactly that. How I got a handle of the inevitable stress in my life. These had to be baby steps so they didn't use even more stress. (haha.... you know what I'm talking about!)
1. Acknowledge that you are the problem. OUCH!
But, the good news is... YOU are also the solution!
2. Saying "yes" when you really want to say "no."
Learn from your experiences of how it makes you feel when you say yes to others & no to yourself. Stop playing God. You may be responsible TO other people, you are not responsible FOR them. (let's assume I am not talking about infants & children here, right?)
3. What can you delegate? Not EVERYTHING needs to be on YOUR plate. How can your family & those around you pick up the slack? Remember, you teach other how to treat you. Creating those healthy boundaries will immediately take the pressure off of the stress & worry in your life. My mom made me do wash when I was in 7th grade. I am not wounded from it. I survived & in fact, it helped me become a self-reliant & responsible adult.
4. Prioritize sleep. This should be 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5. haha... seriously tho. Adequate sleep helps you handle all of the things that come at you during the day with much more clarity & calmness. Not to mention all of the health benefits from getting the right amount of rest & sleep for YOU. Your brain function (decision making), your metabolism (how your body holds onto fat vs using it for fuel), your appetite, your patience... I can go on & on. & if you have a hard time getting to bed earlier, see #3.
5. Hold yourself accountable for self-care. Taking time out to take care of yourself will decrease the impact of stress. It's also important to know how you recharge your batteries. Are you an introvert (who gets more energy from being alone) or an extrovert (who fuels up by being around people)? It's important to know this about yourself so you don't end up feeling drained all the time.
The first point I mention is about having a realization. That point carried through the others so I could take baby steps with the other 4. I continue taking baby steps even as I type this. 🙂
As with so many things in life, workouts included, it's a practice. & creating new habits & awareness is like a muscle-builder. The more you practice, the stronger it becomes. The easier it becomes too.
Share your thoughts & insights below. I love hearing from you!
Join me in RealResults for new workouts posted weekly! (including Yoga, which is one of my favorite ways to manage the stress in my life & keep my brain busy even on "rest" days)
