Here is a question everyone needs to ask themselves: How is stress affecting your life on a daily basis? It’s important to do some self reflection and give an honest answer. In reality, most of the stress in our lives is due to situations or circumstances that are out of our control. How we choose to deal with life’s twists and turns is what allows us to regain power. No one is saying it’s going to be easy but it’s worth the effort to achieve a mental state of well-being.
When we let stress consume us, our health can pay the price. Aside from missing out on the chance to enjoy life’s blessings, you are more likely to suffer from headaches, insomnia, G.I. issues, high blood pressure, lethargy, and more.
At Omnia Health, we focus on helping our patients find actionable ways to increase their resilience to stress. This ensures that when things don’t work out the way you had hoped, you are able to handle it with more calm and optimism. Nobody’s life is void of stress but some people have a greater bandwidth to handle it than others. Here are five coping mechanisms to help you control your stress instead of allowing stress to control you.
The stress hormone corticosteroid can suppress the effectiveness of the immune system, making us more susceptible to infections.
Source: Simply Psychology
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The Importance Of A Support System
Knowing that you’re not alone can make all the difference. Making sure you have a reliable support system is crucial. From family and friends to co-workers and community members, we all find our sources of support in different places. What matters is that we take the time to nourish those relationships and to be willing to reciprocate when the time comes.
Schedule lunch with your friends, attend a church event, plan a date night with your significant other — just make sure you have a social component in your life that helps to alleviate your stress level. Maintaining connections with others is vital to a person’s health and wellness.
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Therapy: It’s Not A Dirty Word
According to a Onepoll survey, 47 percent of Americans believe seeing a therapist is a sign of weakness. That couldn’t be further from the truth! Taking control of your life and seeking the help you need is a sign of strength and courage. The average therapy client struggles with many of the same problems we all struggle with on a daily basis such as relationship issues, self-doubt, lack of confidence, low self-esteem, work/life stress, life transitions, depression and anxiety.
In 2020, it was estimated that around 41.4 million adults in the U.S. received mental health treatment or counseling at some time in the previous year.
Source: American Psychological Association
Omnia Health happens to be a huge fan of therapy because it works! And it is all the more important given the reality in which we have been living since March of 2020. The unprecedented circumstances of the pandemic and quarantine has thrown all of us for a loop. Seeking a trusted therapist is a smart move when it comes to dealing with stress.
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Rest Your Way To Stress Resilience
Sleep is a necessary human function. It allows our brains to recharge and our bodies to rest. When you do not get the recommended eight hours of sleep per night, your ability to face the day with a positive, go get ‘em attitude is highly unlikely. According to the American Psychological Association, most individuals would be happier, healthier and safer if they were to sleep an extra 60 to 90 minutes per night. So make sure to get some extra shut eye to shut out any unwanted stress.
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Feed Your Happy Thoughts
Nutrition and stress go hand-in-hand. So the next time you’re too rushed or upset to eat, consider that when your body is undernourished it takes a toll on your mental and physical health. To keep your stress levels under control you want to do the following:
- Eat regularly to keep your blood sugar levels stable and to improve your intellectual performance.
- Incorporate omega-3 fatty acids to increase brain function while preventing depression and anxiety.
- Eat fruits and veggies high in vitamins and minerals to neutralize harmful molecules that result from stress.
- Add foods that are rich in fiber to help increase alertness and decrease unwanted worries.
Now that you know what a significant impact your dietary choices can have on your stress levels, make an effort to eat healthier. Proper nutrition means a more positive outlook on life.
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Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff — Just Sweat
Exercise is a huge stress reliever. There’s nothing like a good workout to help cope with unwanted stress. When you get your heart rate up and start breaking a sweat, your body releases endorphins. Known as happy hormones, these little guys can make you feel ready to take on any challenge. I know from personal experience that when I’ve exercised, I’m much more cool, calm and collected (just ask my husband and kids). Leading an active lifestyle is a great way to burn calories and stress.
Live Your Life With Less Stress
As Bob Marley so eloquently stated, “Don’t worry about a thing. ‘Cause every little thing is gonna be all right.” Now that you have some more information regarding healthy and productive ways to deal with stress, you’ll be well on your way to living a more carefree, confident life.
Letting worry overwhelm you stops now. Omnia Health can help you build upon these coping mechanisms to achieve your optimum health and wellness. We are here to cheer you on and cheer you up whenever necessary to ensure you stick to the plan and reap the benefits of not simply living, but thriving.
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