Stress...A Woman's Worst Enemy...Am I Right?!

Good Grief...Who knew that reading Jan's issue of BHG (Better Homes and Gardens - secret pleasure) would actually be more than an interesting way to spend a few minutes in the bathroom?!?! So, I was reading the article about stress - sub heading..."Feeling a little...on edge". Um, YES! Always! I read on.

1. Funny bumper sticker: "Stressed spelled backwards is desserts" - well duh! That's been an issue too!

2. According to the APA, 75% of adults said they experienced mod. to high levels of stress througout the year - with women far more likely to develop tension-induced symptoms such as lethargy, sadness, irritability, and overeating.

3. With a prolonged stress experience, the levels of cortisol (belly fat inducer) and adrenaline increase causing elevated heart rate, muscle tension, and thickening blood - and our overall health takes a hit.

4. January 5th is the most stressful day of the year.

5. Figure out what is making you crazy, by asking yourself which parts of your day feel the most overwhelming - be specific! Realize that your body may know better than your mind, which circumstances are most stressful - pay attention. Once you zero in on those specific trouble spots during the day, the tension surrounding them seems to lessen and the solutions seem more manageable.

6. Scan your brain to look for negative self-thoughts when those unexpected, and inopportune daily annoyances occur - if you are saying "why do these things ALWAYS happen to me?!" begin to change the tone of your self-thoughts - "And this to shall pass" would be a better mantra. Deep breathing, if even for a moment.

7. Know when to call a time out! At the point of "seeing red", allow yourself to walk away, step away, move away from the breaking point, so as to lower your blood pressure and heart rate. Watch a funny video online, send a quick email to someone, post a purging note on your blog :-), or just sit quietly for a few minutes until your wits have returned. SO often we don't give ourselves these moments as women - we just keep pushing through the pain - am I right? Well, stop it!

8. And last, here are 4 common areas of nuisance: see if reducing these these factors don't help reduce your heart rate, allow more oxygen to get to your brain, and generally improve your overall feeling about yourself...I know I'm going to try...

1. reduce ambient noise
2. if your first (5th) outfit isn't "quite right", give yourself permission to wear something a bit more comfy that day
3. reduce chronic clutter (start with table tops and the floor)
4. turn off email "alerts" and check email when you choose to do so

I wrote this primarily for myself but if one tiny thing also helps you reduce your stress level, then great!

Later...(on my time - lol)

Matlock, J. (2011). Erase stress for good. Better Homes and Gardens, Jan. 2011.