This word is used so often, and generally has such negative connotations. However, Stress is a perfectly normal response to challenging or new situations. Stress can be the cause of growth, progression and the driver of you overcoming challenges.
The body's stress response is commonly known as the 'fight or flight'. This acknowledges that everyone responds to stress in their own way. This response gives your body the opportunity to respond and adapt to danger. Stress is important in that it indicates "danger" - and it is necessary to release the stress hormones to keep your body alert and able to face and deal with challenges.
So stress is important, and something we need to keep us safe and alive.
However, Stress can also be a problem and cause detrimental physical and mental health issues. When stress is experienced over long periods of time, it can lead to overwhelm, which can often result in being unable to cope dealing with challenges and situations.
There are some key signs to look out for when identifying stress that is no longer productive or serving you:
Feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope with situations
Feeling anxious and constantly worrying
Change in weight
Troubles sleeping
Extreme fatigue and exhaustion
Physical reactions - headaches, nausea, muscle tension, upset stomach
Mood swings - unwarranted responses of frustration, irritability, anger
Withdrawing from social situations, isolating self
Difficulty concentration
Instead of viewing stress and anxiety as the enemy, what if you were to shift your perception and view it as a friend? A friend who is looking out for you, delivering you important messages that indicate that there is something for you to learn and change in your life.
There are many ways of reducing this stress – both practical applications as well as powerful work that can be done to help shift the mindset towards a more positive, empowering and clear outlook on life.
My top 5 practical tips for reducing stress would be:
1. Re-Evaluate your negative thoughts – If you have experienced stress over a long period of time, to the point where it is problematic as outlined above. It is often the case that these negative thinking patterns become your automatic way of thinking at the unconscious level. Start to raise your awareness of these thought patterns, and start to observe. This will give you valuable information as well as the opportunity to view these thoughts from a different perspective and removing yourself from the situation.
2. Exercise – moving your body. Physical activity increases your body’s ability to use oxygen and improve blood flow – both of which have a direct impact on your brain. Exercise increases your endorphins which leads to a “feel good” factor, a natural and empowering feeling of euphoria!
3. Meditation – A powerful way of restoring the body’s health and wellbeing. This practice can produce a deep state of bliss, calm and relaxation, allowing you to clear away the overload of information that builds up and up – which often leads to stress and overwhelm.
4. Self-Care – Whether it is a massage, reading a book, going for a walk or having a bath. Taking time out for you is an important way of reminding yourself that you and your needs are important. So often, you might find yourself pouring from an empty cup, feeling drained and burned out. By taking time for self-care, see it as refilling your cup, nourishing yourself and your needs so that you feel happier and more energised.
5. Talk – By talking to others, whether it is a friend, a colleague, a partner, a counsellor or a coach. Talking can provide an immense amount of stress relief and can really help alleviate the weight and load that you are holding onto. Sharing your emotions with others and being vulnerable gives you the opportunity to connect on a deeper level, feel a sense of belonging and feel understood
Alongside these powerful techniques, there are so many other ways of helping reduce stress in the mind and body. I would absolutely love to talk to you more about my coaching program where we will work with Time Line Therapy® to let go of all limiting decisions and beliefs, let go of any negative emotions, resolve any internal conflict. All of this will help free you of the unnecessary weight and stress you are holding onto, and create space to feel inspired and excited by your future and to start living a life which you love.
Please reach out if you are interested in hearing more about how we can work together. Book your FREE discovery call today, I am so excited to hear from you.
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