Wisdom Wednesday: The Stress SOS Plan
Wisdom Wednesday: The Stress SOS Plan
Welcome to Wisdom Wednesday. This month’s Wisdom Wednesday is about how to look after you. So, I’ve called it the Stress SOS Plan. I know what it’s like to be stressed. I quite often am myself and I’m sure you are too. So, my question to you is are we too focused on our to-do list?
Read the show notes
How to look after you and The stress SOS plan
Are we too focused on our to-do list?
I have to do x,y,z. I can’t feel like I’ve achieved today without doing x,y,z.
Sound familiar? Are you or your child saying these types of things?
This “go, go, go,” “Can’t stop”, “don’t have time” mentality is not always helpful.
Focusing so much on our efforts about the future will produce stress responses in our bodies. This in turn releases Cortisol which is the stress hormone.
Let me talk a little more about Cortisol. It is important to understand why we have it and how to help lower our levels of it.
Cortisol is a hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands. When released into the bloodstream, cortisol can act on many different parts of the body and can help:
the body responds to stress or danger
increase the body’s breakdown and uptake of glucose
control blood pressure
reduce inflammation
enhances your brain’s use of glucose
Cortisol is also needed for the fight or flight response, which is a healthy, natural response to perceived threats. The amount of cortisol produced is highly regulated by your body to ensure the balance is correct.
When we are stressed our “fight or flight” system takes over.
Some symptoms of high cortisol might be?
weight gain
thinning skin.
easy bruising.
flushed face.
slowed healing.
muscle weakness.
So how can we combat this silent nuisance?
Choose 1-2 days per week where you ditch the to-do list
Yes, you heard me right.
Scrap it.
Take a moment to forget everything you “need” to do.
Instead, try a “done” list.
Enjoy and acknowledge your accomplishments.
Choose a number, let’s say 10.
Write out 10 things you have accomplished in the last 3 days.
It can be anything from I sent that email I’ve been putting off doing to I took 10 minutes every day and did a conscious breathing, relaxing exercise.
Here are 4 less stress tricks I use:
Start your day tricks
Start the day with a smile. Even if you don’t feel like it and it feels strained and deliberate. Go to the mirror, look at yourself and smile.
Play with your fur baby or child.
Watch a funny video.
Turn on some music and dance.
During the Day
Please, please stop saying “I’m busy” Talking about how busy you are, increases your stress level. It causes negative emotions in the body and it wastes time.
Breathe, breathe, breathe
Change your response
We are all “busy”
Fear of Missing out (FOMO)
A lot of us “do” things out of the fear of missing out. Fear of “What will happen if we are not around.” (Ego talking here!!!!)
Re-Read That!!!!!!
Doesn’t it sound silly?
Often we won’t put our phones down or leave them at home when we go for a walk because of FOMO. This makes us stressed.
Find joy in “missing out”. Leave your phone at home the next time you go for a walk. Look at the view. Say Hi to people you pass by. Talk to your fur baby. Try it I dare you.
“Missing out,” you will find that it gives you that time and space to do other things.
Like working towards goals
Putting your feet up and resting
Playing with your child or fur baby more
Which in turn makes them happier and less needy. There are always pluses.
Lots of people ask me how I manage 1.5 hours per day to walk, meditate, rest and have lunch
This is how:
It is totally non-negotiable time.
I put my phone away or even in another room or downstairs so that I don’t look at it for that time.
I can guarantee you that you won’t miss out.
You will find you are less stressed, happier, sleep better and like yourself and those around you more.
Zoe
