Change Your Relationship to Stress

WHY Change Your Relationship to Stress? - Chronic stress contributes to all disease. It has been shown to increase blood pressure, increase blood sugar levels, lower immune system, cause digestion issues, decrease sleep, and affect all aspects of well-being in a negative way.

AWARENESS is the first step to changing your relationship to stress. Knowing when you are stressed and identifying what triggers you to get stress is an important step to change. Be on the look out during your day to notice when you get stressed. Pay attention to what stresses you.... identify triggers.

UNDERSTANDING There are two kinds of stress. One is useful and one is not.

Real Stress- When we are in a life or death situation and must react quickly (accident or danger). Interesting in this situation our body takes care of itself. After the stress is over our body will shake to release physical tension. This type of stress is useful.

Perceived Stress- This is the most common and is not useful. It does not serve a purpose and causes harm. This stress usually involves either something that hasn't happened yet or a worry or regret from the past. We want to change our relationship to perceived stress.

TOOLS for Stress Management

1. Put your curiosity logic hat and assess the perceived stress. Ask yourself, "Is this stress real?" Usually the answer is NO. Practice focusing on the present moment. Perceived Stress can not exist in this moment. Talking to ourselves logically can be helpful.
2. Breathing - find a breathing technique you like. Breathing serves two purposes. It helps to get your mind into the present moment and helps with releasing stress. My favorite technique also helps quiet the mind since it requires counting. It is very simple. You breathe for half the amount of time that you exhale. For example inhale to the count of three then exhale to the count of 6. Do this for 1-2 minutes.
3. Laughter - Laughing is a wonderful way to release stress! It is free and works quickly. The best part is that research shows fake laughter is just as effective as real laughter. Laughter helps you to release stress physically and works as a mind reset. So HAHAHAH.

For the live virtual presentation of Change Your Relationship to Stress CLICK HERE

For 3 Exercises for Calm on Live Your Best Life Podcast CLICK HERE

I hope you are inspired to change your relationship to stress. I am rooting for your success! Please like and share if helpful. Karla