I am writing this post during one of the most challenging and scary times of my life. I think many can say the same. We all have things on a daily basis that can cause stress. When you add on things like a nation in turmoil and a virus that we have no protection from, it’s almost too much. I find that I need to take a step back sometimes and just breathe. The tips I am about to share are not groundbreaking. I don’t have the miracle cure for stress. However, I think I can offer a slightly different take on some of the stress tips you may have heard before.
“This is a wonderful day. I’ve never seen it before”-Maya Angelou
Be grateful and strive to become a grateful storyteller
I believe I can speak for most when I say we are all grateful for our family, the food we eat and the normal things in our daily life that we cherish. You may have a grateful list that you run through on a daily basis. Take it to the next level by becoming a grateful storyteller.
Here is an example of what I mean. Try this the next time you take a shower. Watch the water as it flows down your body. Declare out loud that you are grateful for the water. Feel the steam surrounding you and smile. Watch closely as the suds dissipate through the droplets of water. Be thankful for the steam and aromatic soap that surround you. Soak up the experience with a grateful heart. Trust me when I say that the first time you do this, it will be the best shower you have ever had.
I have started to do this what a lot of things in an effort to stop taking the small things for granted. Although, I do find it hard to be a grateful storyteller when I clean toilets. I suppose I could, but this is why finding the things that we feel good about and taking the time to stop and experience the moment is so important. To have a grateful heart you must limit the things you feel ungrateful about. Really, I think it is a matter of catching yourself in an ungrateful moment. I can fuss at my teenage son for being a storm trooper with his laundry (the clothes always land beside the hamper) but I always say a grateful prayer after the fussing and because of this I often (not always) pick up the clothes myself and with a smile.
“The discipline of writing things down is the first step toward making it happen”-Lee Iacocca
Write things down
We have all heard this one before. You can start a gratitude journal. I don’t have a name for mine. I just write. I include the parts of my day that I was grateful for and also the challenges. Don’t just spend a couple of minutes in the morning writing thoughts. Take it to the next level by keeping your journal with you throughout the day. Spend time just writing what you see that is beautiful. Write your thoughts at night before you go to bed. I have read somewhere (don’t quote me) if you write down your worries before bed, it allows your subconscious to let them go. This will lead to better sleep. A word of caution. If you do write down your worries before bed, end on a positive note. What you think about last, is often the first thought when you wake up.
“The body heals with play, the mind heals with laughter and the spirit heals with joy” Proverb
Understand there is a mind body connection
We should all know there is a strong connection between the mind and body. Stress starts in the mind and can manifest in issues with the body. Use this connection to your advantage. To truly relieve stress, you need to take care of your mind, body and soul. Here are some things that you can do that include both the mind and body to help reduce stress. Remember, you don’t have to spend hours exercising to relieve stress. Keep it simple. Sometimes it only takes a few minutes of silence and reflection to take down stress like a wrestler.
- Listen to music you find relaxing
- Read a book.
- Practice deep breathing
- Exercise
- Meditate
- Eat healthy
- Call a friend
- Find a hobby. I love puzzles
- Thank someone
- Visualize your desired outcomes
- Play with your kids, grand kids or fur babies.
- Laugh
- Hug someone
- Smile. Not just for yourself. You don’t know who may need to see your smile today
- Affirmations
- Create a ritual
Here is an example of a ritual. I have a stressful job now, but years ago in another position, it was much more stressful. I had to leave my stress at the office. Everyday when I left the building, I did a sort of a brushing off movement and a little shake. I was telling my brain I was physical dumping the stress and thoughts of work as I left the building. This worked wonders for me. I have known some people to do this in the shower. They get home from work and jump in the shower to physically remove the thoughts and stress from a long day at the office. With the recent shift to working from home, I simply shut my office door. This tells my brain, I am done and it’s time to focus on something different.
“Learn to let go, this is the secret of happiness” -Dali Lama
Let go of the small stuff or if you can’t, recognize that is it small stuff
For most, this is easier said than done. It’s often the culmination of a bunch of little things that make us feel stressed. Unfortunately, I don’t think anyone has the secret sauce to truly letting go of the small stuff. We just need to always have the bigger picture in mind. I find that if something stresses me or aggravates me, let it, but only for a second. I try to immediately flip it to a grateful thought. This helps to let it go. Some people get frustrated when I always see things from another angle. It is sort of a defense mechanism for me. If something stresses me, I need to see it another way and let it go. It’s just my way.
“Know thyself”-Sacrates
Know who you are
In order to truly combat stress, you need to know you. What are your triggers? What worries do you have? What areas of your life cause you the most stress? What stress relievers have you tried and what makes sense for you to try in the future? We are all different. We all react to stress in different ways. Vocalize what stresses you out. Give your loved ones an opportunity to help you combat stress. Sometimes honesty about these things often is a stress reliever.
In conclusion, here are truths that I hold dear that when combined with the above, just make me happier and less stressed.
- We all have a purpose. Focusing on this reminds me that most of what stresses me out is small in the grand scheme of things
- Give yourself some grace. None of us is perfect and that is OK. We all have bad days.
- Be honest with yourself and those around you. If you are having a bad day admit it and don’t hide it with I am fine. You may be surprised at how kind people are when you just say you have had a bad day. It’s unfair to others not to allow them to be kind to you.
- Don’t dwell. When you do have a bad day. Get over it. Don’t let it turn into a bad week.
- Always remember, it’s a choice. If you allow stress to rule over you, then it’s a choice you are making. You have the power to make a different choice.
I hope you have found this list helpful. I told you, not groundbreaking, though sometimes a new take on an old idea leads to more possibility. Do you have practices that you use to help relieve stress? Please comment. I would love to hear your ideas.
With much love,
