Everyone has experienced the challenges of stress during this time in our history. Over the last few years, people have dealt with social unrest, financial concerns, health pandemics, and added family responsibilities.

The pressures of added stressors weigh heavily on our mental state. Learning how to cope with everyday living stressors can give us support and keep us in a more peaceful mental state.

The process to curb stress begins with our internal interpretation or reaction to the stress presented. With our anxiety mounting, wear and tear on our bodies and organ systems occurs. The human instinct of fight-or-flight kicks into gear when faced with difficulties. At this point, our decisions on how to handle the stress are critical.

Making choices that nurture us over options that intensify the feelings of anxiety can reduce our tendency to spin our wheels during times of stress. The stressful event will not resolve itself, and we need to decide to take action in a way that will not damage our bodies or our spirit.

Observe your reactions to the stressor and ask yourself these questions:

● Are you trying to fix everything?

● Can you delegate or delay the stressful event?

● Do you have any control over its outcome?

Should the anxiety become overwhelming, it is essential to do what is good for you. Our goal is to reduce the hormone cortisol level that surges with stress and increase the hormone serotonin level that promotes relaxation. This process may require us to remove ourselves from the situation to find that quiet place within us.

living low stress — Sometimes, you have to relinquish control.

Easy Ways to Destress

Eating right and exercising builds a solid physical foundation to handle stress and anxiety. It is essential not to forget about the spiritual methods that can help cope with what daily life can throw at you. Spiritual techniques include meditation, mindfulness, spending time in nature, prayer, massage, and self-reiki.

By meditating daily, you give yourself the gift of time as a routine. Even if you can only fit in 10 minutes once or twice a day where you can clear your mind of thoughts and negative energy and focus on your breathing, you offer your inner-being–and hormones–an opportunity to recharge. A feeling of enlightenment may overcome the feelings stressors have planted in your life.

By clearing your mind, you can calm your negative feelings and anxiety then it is easier for you to focus your mind and thoughts on the present. With this mindfulness, you can go forward with clarity of planning the day, decisions you want to make for stressful situations, and then make better decisions on the actions you wish to accept.

Experiencing the beauty of nature by stepping outdoors can be very therapeutic. The beauty of the birds, the plants, the trees, and the wildlife can instantly transport you to a better mental state. The wonders of nature can center the spirit and flood the body with endorphins–those marvelous “feel good” hormones. Nature takes us to a place of gratitude where we can appreciate and feel optimistic about our world.

Step out into nature and truly appreciate its beauty.

We can never underestimate the effectiveness of channeling our stress and anxiety through prayer. Any critical problems we have can benefit from sharing through prayer with whomever we choose. There are no judgments or consequences to expressing your inner thoughts and feelings through prayer, and this is a way to overcome your deepest worries.

Touch is a therapeutic tool used throughout our lives, and Self-reiki and massage can be powerful ways to reduce anxiety. Knowing where we individually carry our stress and placing our hands over these areas can be like hugging ourselves. Also, touching or massaging the area where our stress has aggravated our muscles and nervous system can reduce our tension.

Any of these methods or techniques to destress can be extremely helpful. Taking time for yourself on a routine basis is the key.

Remember, our children and life partners are also living through these times. Guiding them using coping methods for stress gives them added support. Never underestimate the power of a hug.

Stop by The Blissful Heart Wellness Center Campus

Luckily for those in the Bend, Oregon area, The Blissful Heart Campus is a great place to visit to relax in our beautiful gardens or to see any one of our many practitioners who specialize in massage therapy, counseling, energy medicine, and more.