What symptoms do you exhibit when stressed? How do they show up
for you? Often stress shows up in a wide variety of ways...
physical, mental and emotional. * Pysical signs are headaches,
muscle tension, upset stomach, restless sleep, shaky/sweaty
hands, fidgeting. * Mental signs are easily distracted/inablity
to focus, more forgetful, exaggerated issues, increased
dreaming. * Emotional signs are irritability, short temper,
exhaustion, paralization/stuck, inablity to make decisions.
How can you relieve or reduce your stress?
TIP #1 - Take Charge. When you feel in control you can RESPOND
rather than REACT to your environment. You feel more empowered
and better able to manage what comes your way. Begin by looking
at what you can control and what you cannot. * List the things I
control in my life. * List the things that are TRULY out of my
control. * What is my attitude towards the things I control?
Toward the things I don't? * What stresses can I say no to,
eliminate, reduce or delegate in my life? * What can I add into
my life that will counteract stress? (meditation, work out,
etc.) * What positive people do I want in my life to support me?
* What negative people do I need to spend less time with? * What
is most important? * Make a list, prioritize, and commit to
remove one thing a day!
TIP #2 - Incorporate Exercise. Regular exercise is one of the
best stress reduction techniques out there. It has multipule
stress relieving benefits: * IMPROVED HEALTH: "exercise adds
life to your years as well as years to your life" through
lowered heart rate and reduced risk of heart disease, may
prevent certain types of cancer, increase stamina, etc. *
IMPROVED MOOD: exercising causes the brain to release opium-like
substances which ease pain and produce a natural high - a sense
of well being and comfort. It also stimulates the brain to
secrete serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrines which act as
antidepressants and improves mood (deficiencies can result in
depression, anxiety, impulsivity, aggression & increased
appetite) * REDUCES BODY TENSION: exercise helps relieve pent-up
emotions we hold in our muscles - which a relaxed body allows
you to sleep better, have more energy, enhance concentration and
memory, quicken your alertness and reaction time, all resulting
over-all feeling of well-being.
CREATE A PLAN: 1. How can taking charge and exercise affect my
stress level? 2. How do do I want to feel after I have planned
and exercised - both physically and emotionally? 3. What can I
do to incorperate planning and exercise in my life? Note: What?
When? With who? How long? GET STARTED TODAY: * Find a friend to
exercise with through the holidays for the recommended minimum
of 20-30 min. 3-5 times a week. Working out with a friend helps
to provide a plan for regular routine, accountably, and allows
for multi-tasking so you can brainstorm, encourage or share
thoughts with a friend while working out. * Get a personal
trainer or join a gym. Push yourself to WORK OUT! * Be consious
about exercising. Park further away and walk. Take the flight of
stairs 2x. Do sit-ups while watching TV. Take the dog for an AM
walk before you shower.....
All the benefits of planning and exercise impact your ablilty to
be sharper, move faster and feel bettter. Taking time to do this
will actually give you more time for the other things you need
to do and REDUCE YOUR STRESS! :)
About the author:
Christy Geiger is a strategic planning coach and the owner of
Synergy Strategies, a business and life-coaching company that
works with IBOs and professionals to implement their thousands
of great ideas in ways that will maximize time, energy and
effort! Through solid vision, goal and strategy planning,
clients are able to maximize their personal effectiveness and
accomplish their mission! Visit
www.synergystrategies.com