This week is International Stress Awareness Week. It’s also a week that will be fueled with stress here in the U.S. My plan is to make it as stress free as possible. To start, I will vote and hope for the best outcome. But, the hustle and bustle we do each day can be stressful. It’s hard but finding ways to help alleviate some of this stress is important.
To start, here’s how stress can present itself in us adults…
| Headaches | Anxiety/Depression |
| Body aches/Muscle tension | Low sex drive |
| Hives/skin rashes | High blood pressure |
| Rapid Heartbeats | Weight loss/weight gain |
| Difficulty sleeping/Increased fatigue | Irritability |
| Digestive problems/lack of appetite | Reduced productivity at work |
| Isolation from those you care about | Substance abuse |
There may be one or more of these stress symptoms that you see in yourself. Now, the ways to work through it look different for everyone. The usual options are easier said than done. Choosing one is a start and allowing yourself time to use it is important. Everything is about creating a habit, and this can take anywhere from 8 weeks to 10 months to make it routine.
The ways I work through my stress includes…
- Listening to music: Depending on the stress I’m working through, the music has to match. When I have a stressful day and I feel physically drained, I enjoy soothing music such as love songs or more instrumentals. When I feel stressed by negative energy, I listen to music that makes me hype and want to party so I can dance/sway along to it.
- Yoga/Stretching: Once a week (unless I don’t feel well or the instructor I enjoy is absent) I do yoga. When I can’t do organized yoga, sometimes throughout the day I do a stretch or two such as in my chair at work or before I get to bed.
- Massage: I can’t afford to get a professional massage every month like my body needs, but in the last 2 years, I have made it a goal to save money to do two a year. There are different levels of massage one can get. If it’s just a back or foot massage it will be more affordable than an whole body massage. If your unable to go the professional route, investing in an at home reusable foot massager or neck/back massager (I own one) helps as well.
- Watching TV/Films I enjoy: In the last couple of years, I have been going through the seasons of some of my favorite TV shows from the 80’s and 90’s. I’ve been going at my own pace to complete the seasons. Some of the shows I finished have been Sister Sister, Family Matters, and The Jamie Foxx Show. Currently, I’m on Full House Season 2 out of 8 seasons. What I get from doing this is a nostalgic moment. These shows are from a time when I had reduced stress in my life. Those moments when you didn’t have to worry about bills, raising a family, or going to work. The same happens when you watch your favorite movie.
- Environmental Calm: In the last couple of years, I have been more interested in essential oils and candles. A good scent goes a long way in changing my mood for the better. Earlier this year, I purchase a candle warming lamp and this has been a safer option as it has a timer to turn off.
- Deep Breathing/Meditation: Sometimes a few minutes to close my eyes and breath helps in allowing me to rest. If only for a few minutes, removing myself from reality helps in my journey to move forward with the day.
As I mentioned before, ways to reduce stress look different for everyone. Finding what works for your mind, body, and soul is something only you can discover. But, making sure it does more good than harm is important. In this month of gratitude, being able to live another day to discover ways to help you heal your body’s stress can be added to the list.