4 Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Everyday Stress

 
 
 

As a society, we are experiencing more demands than ever.  Stress is our body’s natural response to changes in our environment that require us to respond or adjust.  This is not the end of the story-

There are SEVERAL ways that we can modulate stress in order to live more peacefully and surpass the detrimental health impacts of stress. 

Here are just a few……

NUTRITION 

Science shows that there is a direct correlation between stress and digestive health.  The gut-brain axis regulates biochemical responses through the connection between the brain, the central nervous system, and the gastrointestinal tract.  The cognitive and emotional centers of the brain interact with the gut communicating the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin (feel-good chemicals in the brain-)  Hello mental health!!!   When stress levels rise and we made conscious food choices (like fresh vegetables and healthy foods,) we can support our bodies to combat the negative physiological responses to stress. 

 The foods you eat directly impact your mental, emotional, and physical well-being!

Before COVID-19, when I was feeling depressed (yes I have low moods too), I would go right to WONDER juicery and get a green juice.  Now, I make it part of my daily self-care practice to make myself a green juice daily at home.   The impacts on my mood are instantaneous and amazing! Moving my body is another commitment that I keep to myself to regulates my mood and stress levels.   

EXERCISE 

Our bodies are well-crafted organisms that are in constant communication.  When we are bombarded with messages, marketing, pressure to accomplish, notifications, and multiple demands (I mean my blood pressure is rising just writing this). How do we release and discharge everything that is coming at us?  I find that physical movement and connecting to my body is instrumental in me clearing and balancing my organism.  

Another added benefit is when you push yourself physically, you practice adapting to stress in a controlled manner therefore, more readily adapting to other stressors in life which may be out of your control.  

 FINANCES

The majority of Americans report that finances are a common worry, so if that you, you are far from alone.

When we want to make a change, first we commit to the change (a declaration of sorts) and follow the commitment with a daily ACTION STEP aligned with the change we want to make.

This is not linear process but practice, a practice of moving in the right general direction.

Here are a few actions steps to combat financial stress. 

  • Only make one financial decision at a time. 

  • Track spending daily. 

  • Find little ways to reduce spending each day. 

  • Find other ways to find purpose in life that are not tied to a paycheck. 

  • Track thoughts when spending to identify thought patterns you would like to challenge around spending.  

MEDITATION AND MINDFULNESS 

According to Jon Kabat-Zinn, mindfulness is the act of paying attention on purpose, to the present moment without judgment.  Both meditation and mindfulness are practices that help us disengage the unrelenting chatter of the mind.  They are a practice of letting go, each moment after each moment. 

Want to make changes in your life?  Meditation and mindfulness activities help us with the first step of change: AWARENESS!  We can not change what we are not aware of. 

Getting still can help us become more aware and notice thoughts patterns, feelings, and beliefs.  Meditation and mindfulness can help us create space between impulse and action.  A truly invaluable tool.  By sitting with present moment awareness and by practicing just being with what we notice, we can take that off the cushion, maybe into the workplace?  Into our intimate partnerships?  By noticing our impulses and pausing before acting on them we give ourselves a CHOICE.  It is the difference between telling a partner to “fuck off” versus telling them “I’m hurt, I need some time to think.”  We create a choice for ourselves and ultimately co-create our reality.  

Meditation helps us go from sympathetic (stress response) to parasympathetic (rest and digest).  Oh, there is that link to digestion again!  These practices have a multitude of health benefits.  And personally, I find it so comforting to go within and connect with stillness.  

What are some other stress-reducing practices that work for you?  What are some practices that add value to your life?  

If you are experiencing barriers to implementing positive changes in your life let’s talk.  Getting started is easy. 

Loretta Miller