Break the Stress Habit: 30 Day Contest
Submitted by natasha on Mon, 2011-09-12 22:00
Why can't I just relax? Make it a habit with the 30 day Stress Less Challenge
Stress is a habit
We've all had people tell us to "just relax." But it's much easier said than done. Modern day life is filled with things that cause us stress, emotionally and physically. We are so used to a chronic level of stress that living without it seems odd. Unfortunately, this stress is habit forming. It builds in our body until we hit a breaking point...and we all know what that feels like. We have no choice but to slow down.
Why learning how to relax is so important
The word disease comes from dis "ease" with the body. This means, literally, that when our bodies do not feel a state of ease, we create disease within ourselves. Anything from negative thoughts to physical strain can cause stress. Over time, we wear down our bodies and immune systems which protect us from disease. No wonder there are more stress related illnesses than ever before!
The good news is that our bodies are resilient. The bad stress habits we’ve learned can be replaced by positive anti-stress habits. Dis-ease arises when we forget to create a sense of calmness and ease in our bodies and minds. Below are 7 ways you can put more "ease" into your life. Make this a habit and join our 30 day Stress Less Challenge today.
Simple ways to create more ease in your life:
1) Sleep better. Medical research shows that sleep is the best way to reduce stress. But quality matters. Even if you don't sleep more hours, you can increase the quality of your sleep. Getting your body to relax naturally is the key. Relax your mind. Stay away from anything stimulating before you go to bed. Calm your body by avoiding foods with caffeine or sugar. Calm your mind by avoiding stimulants such as TV or emailing.
2) Free your mind of worry. It's impossible to relax when you are worrying about something. The best way to free your mind from nagging thoughts is to realize that worrying is putting energy towards what you DON'T want to happen. If you're finding it difficult kick the worry habit, here are some tips on stopping the worrrying thoughts once and for all. There is nothing that wastes the mind like worry.
3) Take time to yourself. “Time outs” aren't just for kids. Adults need them too. The best occasion for a time out is when you've been triggered by something stressful. Perhaps you’re in traffic. You may begin to feel agitated or feel your neck tense up. Take a time out. Breathe deeply, listen to relaxing music (not disturbing news), and let yourself relax. Being aware of your stress triggers is important. Tell yourself to be calm, take deep breaths, and notice the sensations in your body.
4) Get a massage. A message can go a long way and it doesn’t have to be expensive. Human touch and positive physical pressure release tension in your body. There are even great tools for self-massage, such as acupressure mats (which combine both acupressure and massage), miracle balls, and many others.
5) Play. The opposite of stress. Play keeps us fresh and fills us with childlike energy. There is nothing like fun activities and laughter to release happy hormones in your system. Create a list of your favorite ways to spend time. If you're at a loss for ideas, here are some simple ways that you can bring more joy into your life.
6) Move. One of my favorite ways to relieve stress it to literally shake it out my body. Get up and dance. Go for a run. Or take a meditative approach by taking a mindful walk in nature. Try to release your thoughts and just focus on moving, feeling your body’s energy.
7) Rest your mind. Tension comes from our minds. That's why meditation is so important. It allows our minds to relax, stopping the constant stream of thoughts. Deep states of meditation not only help to rejuvenate the mind and body. They help us explore our subconscious, allowing us to tap into our intuition. Many forms of meditation exist, from guided imagery to simple breathing exercises and walking meditations. Find one that works for you.
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