Stressing can affect your behavior, the decisions you make, and much more. Letting worries take over your life can be very damaging. If stress is an everyday part of your routine it’s time to eliminate it fast before it ruins your life.
The chill factor
The first step on the road to stress busting is recognizing signs of it presence. You can become habituated to high stress levels all too easily and before you know it stress has become part of your normal way of life. If you’re whizzing through life you may just be an energetic person, but it’s becoming too much then it could be a sign of stress particularly if you walk, eat, talk or work in a rushed manner.
Thinking and worrying about the past and future, and spend time clock-watching or obsessing about schedules and diaries are also manifestations of stress. Frequent tension in the neck, face, shoulder, back and chest is common to stress. You may be so used to it that you no longer notice. Have a soak in the hot tub and see which parts of you feel most relieved, it’ll give you an indication of stress hot spots.
Shifting stressors
Lack of control over work and its environment have been shown to be critical stress inducers. If the grip of stress has you dreading work each morning you can relax, it is possible to dissipate work stress without having to give up your job. The first thing to do is examine the environment itself. Look for physical annoyances such as noise levels, glaring lights, or, dangerous equipment. Adjust your workspace as much as you can to provide a more relaxed setting. Don’t make a habit of working through your lunch break. That time is important not just for eating, but also for physically separating yourself from your workspace.
You may well be overburdened with the amount of work you have. Assess your situation rationally and if your boss is expecting you to do the work of two people then she should know about it. Alternatively, what may have started, as helping out a co-worker has now become a regular burden. If a colleague is piling some of her work on you, don’t just clench your teeth, put it back on her own desk!
Take Up Coloring
Yes, you read that right. Coloring is not just for kids. Adult coloring has been shown to have a number of benefits including:
- It helps you de-stress.
- It has the same beneficial effects as meditation.
- It helps reduce anxiety.
- It inspires creativity.
- It connects you with your inner child.
What’s more you don’t need to carry a coloring book and pencils everywhere you go. Simply download the mandala coloring book app for Android and you will be able to color wherever you go.
Remember to keep stress levels to a minimum that way you’ll live a healthier and longer life.
Sophia Thomas is a busy Mom who knows it’s important to take care of herself and enjoy some ‘me time’ however hard this may be! She shares some ways that Mom’s can get in on the self care act.
