by Kerry Taylor
Stress is everywhere and it can’t be avoided because life can’t be avoided. If you haven’t experience it, it’s just a matter of time until you do. Stress can come from anything. Some of the main triggers of stress can be financial, work, home, relationship or a loss of a loved one. When these hit, they can hit hard and wreak havoc in your life. The results of too much stress will show itself in different forms. It can show by having a more than normal aches and pains in your body, gaining weight, sleeping restlessly, if at all, severe headaches and unsteady stomach, just to name a few. As you start to notice your stress levels are getting high or into the danger zones we have to do our due diligence to get the stress down ASAP so you can continue to move forward and be the best version of yourself you can be. The results of stress aren't all bad because sometimes it’s coming from learning a lesson which you would not repeat again in the future. Being a business owner, a father, a son, an older brother, a mentor, and a leader I deal with stress on many different levels everyday. I wanted to share with you some tools that work with me when I feel like I’m going to crash and burn.
Consistent Movement
Get your body moving as much as possible. When the body gets active your endorphins get going. Endorphins are our body’s natural uppers. Endorphins are the magic pill we need to get ourselves re-centered. This doesn’t mean you have to go to the gym everyday, but of course you can. Instead of the gym there are other options like running, walking, swimming, biking, boxing just to name a few that will do the body good. I know I feel like I’m on cloud 9 and everything is right with the world after some good activity.
Music
Music is great for the soul. Everyone has his or her preferred style of music to listen to. For the case of reducing stress and getting you to relax a bit I would suggest slower, r&b, blues, or some jazz music which would help to slow your body and mind down which in turn will reduce your stress levels. You want it to be that music that makes you sing at the top of your lungs while you're driving in the car and no one can hear you. I know it’s not just me. Music will act as a distraction to all the noise that’s surrounding your life.
Meditation
Most people practice meditation with special ambient sounds to help them lock in on relaxing their brain so they can reduce their stressors. Sounds like the ocean, birds, or a smooth and consistent bell tone rhythm. If you are going to put this into play, I will also suggest that you do nothing. Place yourself in a room, have nothing else going on that can cause a distraction, turn off the phone, turn the lights down low, get in a comfortable position and zone out. If you can learn to clear your head like that, you will be able to relax like you never have before. Relaxing more through meditation will allow you to tone down your breathing, which will slow down everything in your body and put you in a complete state of calmness and relaxation. Start with 5 -10 minutes and slowly increase the time you meditate.
Talk it out
That’s right; talk it out. Everyone has close friends in their life. Use them for what they are there for. They’re there to have great times with, but even more so, to help you through your tough times. If you don’t like to tell a lot of your business to your friends then maybe go see a professional. They don’t know and have no ties to you, so they can help you work your thoughts out in your head. The feeling that you get from getting what’s stressing you off your chest is amazing. So let it out and don’t hold it in, you won’t regret it.
Remember, stress will hit at some point and when it does you want to make sure you have ways to put stress back at bay. I hope these suggestions will help you when they are needed. They are some easy tools for you to apply in your life to help manage the ups and downs.