6 Steps to Stay Healthy During Times of Stress

We all experience stress and anxiety on occasion (some of us more than others), but there are situations in our life that can raise our stress levels, such as a divorce, death of a loved one, challenges at work or a job loss, unexpected health diagnoses or simply doing too much and trying to be superhuman day in day out. During this global COVID-19 condition where our everyday lives are disrupted, we can also feel a sense of ongoing anxiety from the unknowingness of what the future holds for ourselves and our loved ones. At times like these, we might turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with our emotions, such as drinking, smoking, avoiding exercise, overworking or overeating unhealthy comfort foods or sugary treats. While we can recognize lives aren’t always predictable, we can still take our health and wellness into our own hands and a few simple steps to manage our mindset to get through times of uncertainty, overwhelming stress and anxiety.

1.       Focus on Gratitude

When we feel a sense of irritation with a disruption of our schedules or a sense of scarcity due to fear of the unknown or a loss, it can be more difficult to feel grateful for what we DO have in our lives. Focusing on what we can be grateful for, even if it’s the simplest of things, can be an easy, immediate tool to take us out of our “woe is me” spiral. Sure, everything might not be particularly rosy one hundred percent of the time, but life’s ups and downs are a part of life. How to put this into action? You can keep a gratitude journal where you write out your thoughts, or you can compile a simple gratitude list. You can tell other people why you’re grateful for them by sending them a note or a card. You can post daily on your social media pages to be a positive inspiration to others. Or, you can create a gratitude jar with slips of paper with notes of what you’re grateful for each day. Seeing how many things in your life you are grateful for add up is an instantaneous boost to your mood.

2.      Turn off the News and Social Media

Remaining aware of what’s happening in the world is one thing… Taking a break from the constant feed of doom and gloom and negativity can bring us back to the present. This will help us realize what’s really happening in our own lives. Taking a certain level of detachment can help us to look at the situation from an objective observer’s lens. Plus, it is easier to act on your own health and well-being goals when you take time to disconnect from the media messages to focus on YOU and your own reality. 

3.      Schedule Time to Worry

Most of us have experienced repetitive thoughts that take us in a spiral of worry. As a result, we may have a difficult time focusing during the day and sleeping at night when we’re concerned about a situation or encounter. Meditation, yoga, exercise, participating in a hobby or craft, getting out in nature or engaging with others in a phone call or FaceTime chat can all be healthy strategies to divert our attention during times of high stress. Distractions can be useful strategies to take our mind off the issue that’s making us uneasy. In addition, intentionally scheduling time to process these thoughts and getting to the root cause of our emotions so they don’t continue to damage our mental well-being can be ironically liberating. Ideally, this “worry time” will not be right before bed, but if you do find yourself waking up in the middle of the night with anxious thoughts, you can keep a small notebook at your bedside to write them down to get what’s on your mind out during the night.

If you find it impossible to sort through your worries or anxious feelings yourself, working with a licensed counselor or a trained Health Coach can be beneficial, as they can help you identify the underlying issues and a positive plan to move through them with ease.

4.      Practice the Pause

Stress, anxiety and worry not only raise our cortisol levels, causing weight gain and obesity1 along with a myriad of other chronic health issues, so it’s not something to take lightly if you find yourself in this state the majority of the time. If your stress is tempting you to turn to unhealthy comfort foods, high in refined carbohydrates and added sugar, you’re only fueling the cycle of cravings. 

While following a specific dietary plan may be the perfect solution to give you the structure you need to manage your healthy eating choices, you don’t have to add more stress to your life to eat healthfully. Beth Romanski’s personal mantra is that “Being Healthy Doesn’t Have to Be Hard” and she focuses on small changes that can add up to BIG results.

Emotional eating is a strategy that is nuanced and not always “bad” – truthfully, it’s more about your awareness and intentions when eating certain foods that matters most. If you find yourself craving sugary foods when you’re stressed out, or in the midst of a sugar binge without thinking, you can take a very simple step and practice a 4-step PAUSE. 

·        Put the food down,

·        Tune into your Awareness,

·        Understand the real cause (i.e. your boss just sent you an urgent email),

·        State your feelings and

·        Engage in 4 deep breaths to put a stop to the mindless eating you started.

Providing our bodies with nourishment from real, whole unprocessed foods is a form of self-care, which is needed most during times of stress and anxiety. Tuning into your actions and the reasons behind them is the first step to ending the cycle of self-sabotage.

In addition, if you’re overeating (or undereating) due to stress and anxiety, we recommend keeping a food journal for a short period of time to be more mindful of your intake and nutritional choices. Or, you might want to follow a more personalized or formalized meal plan working with a nutritionist to take the impulse option off your mind. If you need accountability to keep you on track, working with a Health Coach is essential as a guide and partner to stick with your healthy habits!

5.      Focus on what you CAN control

It’s human nature to want to have control over our lives for a sense of security, but it’s not possible to control everything that touches us as human beings. If you DO have control over something that’s making you anxious or unhappy, then you need to own up to it and take action to change it. The power IS within you to create the life you want and hiding behind your excuses will only continue to hold you back from the health and happiness you deserve. On the other hand, if you are overly anxious about aspects outside of your realm of control, which is often the case, it’s better to realize that fact and let them go because the weight of the world will literally bring you down if you allow it.

6.      Have fun!

It can be too easy to judge ourselves. Having fun can take us out of self-judgement and open us up to new ideas for finding solutions that don’t come up when we are focused on the problem(s). Finding a fun activity can quickly shift that focus. What makes you smile? Take some time to do that!

Rest assured that you are not alone on your wellness journey. We all need support systems from time to time and staying connected to others can be the difference between staying stuck where you are or living the life that you’re meant to live as wellness warriors. 

Professional and Continuing Education online courses are available through Maryland University of Integrative Health. Use Code HCC10 for a 10% discount: Click here.

For personal help with your stress and health concerns, find a member of the Holistic Chamber of Commerce with a free search of our directory: Click here.

-         By Beth Romanski and Camille Leon

About Beth Romanski:

Beth Romanski is Director of Professional and Continuing Education at Maryland University of Integrative Health and a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and founder of MyHealthyTransitions Health Coaching, where “Being Healthy Doesn’t Have to be Hard.” 

About Camille Leon:

Camille Leon, Founder of the Holistic Chamber of Commerce, is a Speaker, Author and Innovator. She helps clients and audiences find holistic solutions to today’s challenges, making it easier to choose the best ones. She believes in a healthier and happier world through our choices and is glad that she has created success in building a purpose-focused business. For availability and scheduling, call 310-490-6862 (Pacific).

References:

1Hewagalamulage, S., Lee, T., Clarke, I., & Henry, B. (2016). Stress, cortisol, and obesity: a role for cortisol responsiveness in identifying individuals prone to obesity. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 56. doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2016.03.004