Stress is just a thought. No matter how much stress may be controlling or impacting your day to day routine, stress is simply just a thought. Stress is not something that happens to you, it is something that occurs in you. If you are not careful, stress can easily control your life and make activities that once seemed enjoyable not-so-enjoyable. Fortunately there are ways to stop stress now in Johnson County, KS.
What Exactly is Stress?
By dictionary definition, stress is bodily or mental tension that results from factors that have a tendency to alter an existent equilibrium. In order words, stress occurs when your thoughts are out of balance.
Have your ever asked your physician what stress is? Next time you visit with your doctor, go ahead and ask. You might be surprised at how different your doctor’s definition is from the dictionary definition of stress. The medical definition of stress is the perception of real or imagined threats to your body or ego. Stress may be as simple as believing that your husband or wife is mad at you when really they are not. Whether what is causing your stress is real or fake, anything that you perceive as stressful can create a stress response from your body.
When you are stressed your body is flooded with cortisol, adrenaline and other stress hormones. This causes an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Stress can also make your blood more likely to clot, which can damage the portion of your brain responsible for memory. Stress can also lead to increased belly fat storage.
Ways to Stop Stress Now in Johnson County, KS:
1. Remember to Move. One of the best and easiest ways to burn off stress hormones and stop stress now in Johnson County, KS is to get up and move! Sweating is a great way to burn off those stress hormones. Go for a run, dance, jump around, stretch, swim or skip. Do whatever type of physical activity you enjoy most. If you aren’t able to or just aren’t in the mood for vigorous physical activity, give yoga a try. Yoga combines movements and breathing, which can do wonders for your stress levels.
2. Take a Breath. Stop stress now in Johnson County, KS by remembering to breathe. A vast majority of us hold our breath or even swallow breaths when we are stressed out or feeling anxious. When you are feeling stressed, take deep, slow and full breaths. These breaths can have a positive impact on resetting your stress response. This is because the relaxation nerve (your vagus nerve) runs through your diaphragm and is activated with every deep breath you take. Right now, try taking five deep breaths. Observe how much better you feel afterwards.
3. Enjoy Some Time in the Tub. Everyone needs to shower or take a bath on a daily basis, why not use your time to get clean as a time to de-stress? Being a little lazy and relaxing in the tub can do wonders for your stress. Consider adding 2 cups of Epsom salt and 10 drops of lavender oil to your bath. Epsom salt contains magnesium, which is a relaxation mineral. Lavender can help to lower your cortisol levels. When you go to take a bath, soak for 20 minutes. You will be one relaxed individual after your bath.
4. Get Some Shut Eye. Life can be extremely crazy sometimes and this often means a lack of sleep. A lack of sleep can increase your stress hormone levels, not to mention leaving you feeling extremely tired. Aim to get 7-8 hours of sleep a night no matter what. This can help you to stop stress now in Johnson County, KS. If you missed an hour of sleep one night, don’t hesitate to take a nap during the day. In order to feel refreshed and stress-free, you need to prioritize sleep.
5. Think Differently. In order to reduce stress now in Johnson County, KS, you first need to acknowledge stress. Practice the art of knowing when you are stressed and notice what you are doing or what you are thinking about when you are stressed. When you begin to feel stressed, stop and take a few deep breaths. This will help you let go of whatever is stressing you out.
What Not to do When you are Stressed (These Things Won’t Stop Stress Now in Johnson County, KS):
1. Obsess over stress. Obsessing over the things that stress you out is only going to increase your stress levels.
2. Not taking time to recover from stress. One of the worst things you can do is not allow yourself time to recover from a stressful situation; even if recovery only means taking a few deep breaths or putting a project aside until tomorrow.
3. Give into cravings. Are you a stress eater? Try to avoid giving into stress cravings. This can often mean eating sweets and junk foods. Binging on your favorite sweets and junks foods will up your serotonin levels. This may help you feel better quick, but in the long run you’ll just crave more unhealthy foods.
Stop Stress Now in Johnson County, KS