Three Steps of Stress Management
By: Nick Lape
Every single person at some point during their week has that moment when they think that the entire world is out to get them. Or they have so many things to do they don’t see a way to accomplish it. With work deadlines, kids’ schedules, constant connection to email/the internet, and the want for some time to relax, life can get pretty stressful. Even if you start off fine as weeks progress all of these tasks begin to wear on us if we don’t manage it. During these stressful times it is imperative that we learn to manage ourselves, our nutrition, and our physical well-being.
1. Ask yourself positive questions and get positive answers.
In order to manage ourselves we must first be able to understand what makes us tick. We spend a good portion of our day inside our own heads. We have a constant dialogue with ourselves saying, “Why does this always happen to me?” and “Why am I always so busy? I never get to relax.” What if we stopped asking ourselves negative questions and started asking empowering ones? Instead of searching for negative answers we would search for positive ones. Due to the amount of time we talk to ourselves without anyone else hearing this is truly crucial when it comes to stress management. Empowering thoughts, questions, and answers to those questions are going to be your first defense against the battle inside your head that can consume you. DON’T LET IT!!!! Don’t let it affect the other aspects of your life, especially nutrition.
2. Choose foods that will benefit your health, mind, and mood.
Why do so many people in this country choose to eat during times of stress? Well food does have a way of comforting us. To go along with empowering thoughts, why don’t we take the time to choose something that will empower our mind as well as our body? During times of stress if we haven’t mastered our inner thoughts when it comes to fueling our bodies, it is a lot easier to choose the easiest route possible to feel better immediately. We choose donuts, twinkies, bags of chips, etc.; foods laden with sugar. Or you could go the other route and swing by McDonald’s or order a pizza. Mastering our thought processes can prepare us for this. When we know a day is going to be painstakingly long or busy planning ahead can be a game changer. Choosing foods that benefit your health like veggies, fruits, nuts, grass-fed meats, healthy fats etc., can easily satisfy your hunger cravings and make you feel better about yourself.
3. Exercise on a regular basis.
When we talk about feeling better about ourselves one of the best ways is through physical activity. Every person enjoys their “me” time. How you choose to spend it is up to you. When managing stress, doing something that is physically taxing can make you feel less of that stressful burden. Personally, I choose to lift weights, however, running, biking, hiking, or just getting outside and go walking. All of these can have drastic effects on the way you feel. Choosing the healthy road when dealing with stress in this matter can only help.
Everyone in this world goes through stressful times. Sometimes you ask yourself, “How is that person so happy?” when you know personally they have a lot on their plate. The answer is that they have probably mastered a couple if not all three of the things that I’ve mentioned previously. They probably have the ability to manage their thoughts which will empower them to eat well and exercise. The product of all of this is efficient stress management. Ask yourself empowering questions, and answer them with empowering answers. Prepare food that will benefit your mind and your body. And lastly use exercise as your escape. In addition, time management, learning to say no, muscle relaxation, and breathing can help with stress. Choose the things that make your mind and body happiest and healthiest. I can guarantee that if you master these things that you will be the person that people ask that question of “How can he be so happy with some much on his plate?”