27 Jun How to Decrease Stress
Stress is at an all time high these days with work-life balance, a pandemic, inflation, politics. All of it is affecting our ability to be mindful and completely healthy. Stress is the root cause of so many illnesses and physical pain. It’s all preventable. The World Health Organization estimates stress costs American employers $300 Billion dollars in healthcare costs, per year. BILLION!
Here are a few things you can do to be more mindful of daily stressors, and how to eliminate them.
Be mindful of what you ingest. Between news and social media, our minds are being inundated with things that are not great for our mental health. Our brains are too used to trauma. Setting a boundary with yourself, and being conscious of what you allow into your space, and when, is so important. Instead of waking up to turn on the news or scroll social media, take control of your day by ingesting more mindful things. Read a book, journal, meditate, breathe.
Take mindful walks. Walking daily can add years to your life. It helps to elevate your mental wellbeing, and also promotes physical and cardiac health. Try walking without a real goal. Just walk, observe, listen, and feel. Notice new things in your neighborhood each day. You’ll be surprised at how your mood changes after each walk.
Breathe in and out through your nose. Nostril breathing helps to reset your nervous system in moments of stress. It activates your parasympathetic nervous system, which is the “rest and digest” trigger. When you breathe in and out through the nose, it allows your body to feel calm more quickly, instead of exerting energy out of your mouth.
Set boundaries. It is so important to have clear boundaries with yourself and others, and state them clearly. Boundaries may sound cliche, but when you don’t have them you risk inviting negative energy into your space. Boundaries for yourself can look like making sure you get adequate sleep each night. Boundaries with others is being able to say no to things you do not have the capacity for.
The Challenge: Write a list of your boundaries for yourself and others, today!