3 Tips for De-Stressing after a Hectic Day

Over 46 million adults suffer from mental and emotional health challenges. 

Does this surprise you?

In an increasingly DIS-connected world, where too many people are fueled by anger, caffeine (and so much more!), it can be hard to find peace, security, and a sense of belonging. In a time where ‘hustle till your eyes bleed’ resonates like truth, it’s critical to find ways to re-connect with yourself and your tribe so that you feel centered, balanced, and whole - like your world is at Peace.

Even at the end of the day when work should be put to the side, many people are finding it HARD to fully engage with their personal life.

Work is almost addicting.

It helps provide an escape - a Distraction from reality.

Living this way for too long has ONE Guarantee - Unhappiness.

And it has another pretty strong Guarantee - ILLNESS.

Stress is an underlying component to 80-90% of all illness and disease. If you don’t have effective tools NOW, there’s a strong chance your future self will suffer.

If you’re one of the many hard-working, dedicated professionals in our world who is feeling tired or ‘heavy’, it’s a great time to start getting your Stress under control so it doesn’t sidetrack your health and your LIFE. 

Here are a few tips to help you find your Peace and Calm even if you don't have a lot of Time and your calendar is overflowing.

Tip #1: Get QUIET

After spending so many hours every day behind a computer, addressing client needs, or trying to manage a classroom of 25 students, downtime and rest are essential ingredients to reset and refuel for the next day. Living in fast motion isn’t sustainable OR healthy. By allowing your brain to slow down, massive healing can take place.

You may actually be able to listen to your thoughts (and your BODY!) while they’re gently whispering to you and telling you what you need/want before they start to scream at you.

Research has shown that quiet time can lower blood pressure, boost the body's immune system, grow new brain cells (seriously??), and decrease overall stress by lowering blood cortisol levels and adrenaline.  

How will YOU make it a priority to embrace the QUIET?

Tip #2: Movement & Yoga

Did you know emotions can be trapped in your body?

What do you think would happen if all the stress, anxiety, depression, PAIN you’re feeling right now got STUCK?

It might surprise you to hear this but if you’re like most people, there are trapped emotions in your body right NOW.

??Are you prone to headaches?

??Having trouble sleeping?

??Struggling with anxiety?

??Dealing with awful skin?

??Digestion issues?

??Allergies?

Answer “Yes” to any of these?

Congrats- you’re NORMAL. You probably have an energetic blockage that’s begging you to release it so that you can FEEL good again.

When stress gets trapped in the body... 

Hello sickness. 

Hello disease. 

Hello weak immune system.

Goodbye HEALTH and ENERGY.

Yoga can a great friend to every busy person. It can help the body process the ‘baggage’ from everyday life, realign to find your balance and center, and help you stay healthier and way more HAPPIER. 

First, start with Child’s Pose.

To safely get into this pose, follow the steps below.

1. From Tabletop pose (resting on your hands and knees), spread your knees apart and touch your toes together. 
2. Push back so you’re sitting on your heels. If your hips feel tight, keep your knees and thighs a little closer together.
3. Bow forward so your heart and chest are resting on your thighs and rest your head on the floor. If you’d like, you can place a small pillow or rolled up blanket underneath your head or even underneath your feet.
4. Keep your arms long and extended next to your side (hands are near your feet) with your palms facing down.

If at any time, you are in pain or discomfort, return to a normal sitting position.

Hold this pose for a few breaths to help stretch your hips, thighs and possibly relieve any neck and back pain. This pose is also really helpful for fighting fatigue as well as resetting and re-centering your mind and body (helping you feel more balanced and grounded).  

Please note that there are MANY variations to the Child’s Pose (Balasana). If you’re not comfortable in this pose, please find a variation that you are comfortable with so that you can reap the benefits!

Tip #3: Learn How to Use EFT/Tapping as a Quick Stress FIX

I can’t think of a better tool for processing stress in the moment in just a few seconds than EFT or Tapping. It can also be done in a way that no one knows what you’re doing (pretty awesome, right??). With everyone I’ve worked with over the last few years, Tapping has always been one of the favorite tools. 

Great results in sometimes only a few seconds/minutes? YES, PLEASE! 

Let’s keep it super simple for now.  

EFT/Tapping CAN be a simple, self-help tool. It can also be used in a clinical way to help with more complex events, emotions (it is important to work with a trained practitioner when you are working to process and release trauma. For more information, please contact me at [email protected]).

Let's keep this simple for now.  

First, take note of how intense your stress is. On a scale of 0 -10 (0 being NO stress), measure how intense that emotion is right now.

?Start tapping lightly on the top of your head. (Say, "This stress" as you're tapping).

Then, move to the following points - tapping on each point for a few seconds (7-10 taps on each point usually works very well).

?Inside of your eyebrow (Say, "This stress" as you're tapping).

?Side of your eye (Say, "This stress" as you're tapping).

?Under the eye (Say, "This stress" as you're tapping).

?Under the nose (Say, "This stress" as you're tapping).

?On your chin. (Say, "This stress" as you're tapping).

?In the middle of your chest (Say, "This stress" as you're tapping).

?Under your arm (doesn’t matter which arm) (Say, "This stress" as you're tapping).

Do this a few times (around 3-5 rounds) and then 'check-in' with your body.

Ask yourself, "How do I FEEL right now?"

If you're level of stress is lower, great! You can keep tapping until you get it down to a 0-2. If there was no change, you can either keep tapping OR change the emotion to anxiety, overwhelm, frustration (whatever you think may be causing the issue). If you're feeling worse, switch to another emotion and keep tapping until you feel better.

Common questions you may have:

Should I tap with one hand or both? Doesn’t matter- whatever you feel comfortable with.

Does it matter how long I stay on each point? Not really. You may find some points feel really good to you. Stay on those points for a little longer if you want. Aim for about 7-10 taps on each point but if you tap for longer, that’s completely fine.

Why do I focus on the negative emotion? You wouldn't plant beautiful flowers without first prepping the soiling and pulling the weeds, right? Same with our thoughts. Ignoring the negative doesn't make them disappear. What you resist, PERSISTS. Give them attention, pluck them, and then you can replace the negative thoughts with more supportive ones... this is one of the many things we can do with EFT.

These 3 tips can be REALLY helpful ways to find yourself again after a busy day of a ton of stuff to DO and barely any time to catch your breath. 

Remember, the summer can be a great time for you to relax, reset, and find your happy again.

Even though work and life can be stressful, you can absolutely find your peace and calm amidst chaos and a never-ending To-Do list. Keeping your stress level down and making sure YOU are always emotionally and mentally healthy are great ways to ensure you’re able to continue to thrive for years and years to come!