April is National Stress Awareness month. A month when we are encouraged to look at how stress is affecting our work and family life and look at what we can do about reducing it.
When I was asked to take part in a radio show to talk about my business, I jumped at the chance to share my knowledge and my business with the local community. I set off to the venue and parked nearby. I looked around and couldn’t see the building. Then it dawned on me that I was in the wrong place and the show started in 20 minutes!
Suddenly I noticed: –
- I felt hot all over
- My heart started pounding faster
- Thoughts were racing around my head
I’m used to helping other people manage their stress levels, but it did take me a few seconds to recognise that the way I was acting and feeling were stress related.
The first thing to do when you recognise that something isn’t right, and you could be feeling stressed is to STOP. Take this time to acknowledge that your actions or feelings may be stress related. It’s OK to feel stressed. What’s important is what you do next. Once you can recognise that you are feeling stressed you can decide to take positive actions to begin to feel calm and in control again.
You’ll be pleased to know I got to the venue with 5 minutes to spare. I felt a little rushed, but the breathing technique below helped me to quickly relax and I had a great time answering questions and playing some of my favourite songs.
Regularly practicing the activities below will help you to quickly take action when you’re feelings stressed.
5 everyday stress-busting activities
#1. Abdominal breathing
This need only take a few minutes and will help you to feel calm. Breathe in for the count of 4, hold for the count of 4 then breathe out for the count of 6. Do this for 1 or 2 minutes or until you start to feel calmer.
#2. Channel your inner child
Research has shown that colouring can help you when you are feeling stressed. Colouring relieves stress by helping you to focus on an activity that allows you to take your mind off what is causing you to feel stressed. Colouring involves logic and creativity which when used together they change the brain waves that are affected by stress.
#3. Physical exercise
Physical activity can help you to take your mind off your worries, improve the blood flow around your body and improve your body’s ability to use oxygen. Also, during exercise your production of Serotonin increases, these are ‘feel-good’ hormones.
#4. Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness helps you to be in the present moment and will help you to deal with stressful situations in a more calm and constructive way. Read more about being mindful here.
#5. Do something that makes you happy
Making time to do something you enjoy can help you to relax and reduce your stress levels. Take on an art project, care for a pet, do some decorating, dancing, singing or yoga. Try a new hobby or sport, do something creative or start journaling your thoughts and feelings.
By making time to do something that you find pleasurable on a daily basis you will be able to cope better with situations that previously would have caused you stress.
If you need help recognising and managing your stress levels some time-out to recharge and relax could do the trick. Take a look at my FREE Self-care download. Use them to help you manage your stress on a daily basis.
About Sharon
Sharon lives with her partner, Geoff, in Warwickshire and they have two adult children. She worked for over 25 years in an office environment, gaining qualifications to degree level in finance, business and management. While there Sharon witnessed and experienced many stressful situations and suffered stress-related illnesses.
Sharon was advised to make some changes to her lifestyle which included trying complementary therapies. After experiencing the benefits of complementary treatments, Sharon decided to retrain and share her knowledge and experiences to help others recognise and manage their own physical and emotional stress and anxiety levels.
She has been working as a complementary therapist for over 12 years now and loves helping people manage and reduce their stress levels to feel uplifted, focused, positive and empowered about their lives.
