5 Simple Stress Busting Strategies for Wellbeing
Fresh HR Insights Pty Ltd is delighted to introduce Karen Mudie who will be writing a series of articles for us. Karen os a highly sought after Health and Wellbeing Educator, Life Coach, Reiki Masters and Inspirational Facilitator of change
Written by Karen Mudie
Stress is a natural response in our bodies that basically keeps us alive. It is our inbuilt survival mechanism that protects our bodies for harm.
Most people will talk about stress and depression as being normal and definitely part of our existence; however, many are unaware that while we have little control over our external environment and our hectic pace of society, we do have ultimate control over how stress affects us on an individual level.
Our bodies are not designed to be at fever pitch for long periods of time, and it’s this long term effect of chronic stress from our modern day life that most people remain in a heightened response for prolonged periods. Long term stress causes damage to our body and can also be the cause of long term negative physiological and psychological damage which present themselves as diseases, such as:
- Alcohol and drug dependencies
- Weight gain & hormone imbalance
- Anxiety disorders
- Joint pain
- Sleep disturbances
- High blood pressure
- Depression
- Chronic pain
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Skin disorders
- Headaches
- Bladder infection
- Fibromyalgia
- Stroke
- And many many more
If we do not find a way of slowing ourselves down or burning off the rush of energy that is created, then stress problems such as those outlined above will arise.
The fact is that many people spend so much time functioning under the effects of stress that they are not even aware that their muscles are tensed or that their mind is racing and their breath is shallow or irregular.
By learning to understand how stress affects us and how to recognise it in our own bodies, is one of the first steps to overcoming stress related illnesses.
Ask yourself:
- What are some of the causes of stress in my own life?
- Do you know what your triggers are?
- Can they be avoided?
- And, what can I do to minimise these situations or events in my life?
Understanding stress is an essential part in providing the coping skills that will sustain a healthier, happier life, and learning to recognise tension in our bodies, where it is, and how it feels is an important step in regaining the relaxation response desired for optimal living.
Some Simple Stress Busting Strategies you can start doing straight away are:
- Get adequate rest and quality sleep every night
- Practice Deep breathing – learning to slow and deepen your breathing will assist in slowing down your nervous system and will also help return your stress hormones to a normal level
- Eliminate caffeine, sugar and processed foods from your diet ‚ ¨ this take the extra load off your organs
- Schedule regular time-out‚ π periods, such as a weekly or even monthly massage, take a walk (without your phone or ipod), or get to that yoga class you’ve always wanted to attend
- Switch off mobile phones and all electronic devices at least 1 hour before bed & do not put them on your bed side table as the electromagnetic waves will interrupt your sleep cycles
If you are experiencing high levels of stress or anxiety in your life, it is recommended (in addition to the above) you seek the help of a therapist or counsellor to help.
It is important to take time out, to learn effective stress management techniques and to regain the relaxation response in our bodies once again so that it can work and function optimally as designed to.
By allowing the body to return to a state of homeostasis, you allow the body’s natural healing abilities to occur
