Staying Calm in the Storm
Mindfulness is the nonjudgmental awareness of what is happening in the present moment….”
~Coaching Psychology Manual (2nd ed.)
Stress is something that virtually everyone has to deal with to some extent. While it is a natural part of life, it is good to know ways to handle that stress and reduce it in some way. Here are a few tried and true tips that I’ve used to help lower my stress level and hopefully, this will work for you over time too. As you explore these tips, enjoy our embedded, free meditation track created by yours truly.
1) Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol…
Caffeine and alcohol do nothing to help lower the level of stress that one carries around with them. In fact, they may only contribute to it even more. Instead, it is a good idea to minimize your caffeine and/or alcohol intake and drink more water to help keep your body hydrated. Also, check out my post on how I tackled caffeine addiction.
2) Get Moving…
We all require a little push in the right direction when it comes to exercising. Just 20 minutes is enough for your body to find relief and reward from some type of movement. This is important because when you are stressed out, your body starts to overload itself with stress hormones such as adrenaline. You have to find a way to burn off those chemicals, and the only way to do that is through exercise: walking, running, yoga, etc.
3) Get a Restful Night’s Sleep…
We all live busy lives, but there is no excuse because our bodies need to regenerate from the chaotic lifestyles of our times. When it comes to sleep, it is about both quantity and quality. Both are necessary for someone to enjoy the full benefits of better sleep, which also leads to less stress overall. This is because a well-rested body is better able to deal with the levels of stress that come its way.
4) Try Yogic Breathing…
There are a few techniques that you might try if other things are not helping you with stress reduction. This includes deep breathing exercises, stretching exercises, and even guided visualization exercises. Each individual finds their own unique benefits to the various techniques. Some prefer some of these techniques over others. At the end of the day, trial and error are necessary to find just the right techniques to use.
5) Try Journaling…
Sometimes we do not know what the source of our stress is. Since I was a kid, I’ve already kept a journal – still do. Writing down what is causing you stress can help you recognize some of your own dysfunctional patterns that have become habitual over time. Perhaps you’re blinded to what is stressing you out at the moment, but by writing it all down can help you narrow down the list of possible sources of your stress. Think about and consider buying yourself a journal and account for what stressing you out.
