When Stress Strikes, Be Prepared

Deadlines.  Kids.  Client dinners.  Volunteering commitments.  The dog and the cat.  Your life is in constant motion and with a full non-stop schedule, you’re bound to eventually reach a breaking point.  Stress is likely a common feeling you encounter on your way through life.

Mental wellness is just as important as being physically fit.  Health is defined as the condition of being sound in mind, body, or spirit.  In order to achieve good health and wellness, you need to focus on mental wellness, healthy eating, and exercise.

Here are five tips to help you when that moment hits; you know, the one where you want to curl up under a blanket with a bowl of ice cream or a bottle of wine or both.

1. Write.  Write in a journal, write a review of a book or movie, write out goals, write a letter to family or friends, or write a to-do list.  Take a few moments to jot down something.  Your focus will be on that task and not stewing on the problem or bingeing on sweet treats.

Writing in a journal helps me reflect on the positive
things I'm doing in my life.  I also like to keep a stock of
 gift cards to my favorite places so that I can grab a
pick-me-up if I want. 

2. Volunteer.  Have you volunteered before?  The feelings you have leaving the gig definitely outweigh the stress you may be feeling.  It helps put your challenges into perspective and you’ll meet great people along the way.  Read with kids or senior citizens, walk dogs, or wrap presents during the holidays!  Check out United Way for volunteer opportunities.

3. Exercise.  Working out releases endorphins that help improve your mood.  You also get the benefit of pumping oxygen rich blood through your body and burning calories!  Exercise options are endless but I find punching a kickboxing bag pretty effective in relieving stress.  Meditate, walk (Des Moines has awesome trails!), run, bike, rollerblade, lift weights, or join a group exercise class.

4. Phone a Friend.  You should never use a friend solely for the purpose of complaining.  However, you should have a good friend lined up to take your calls when you have an especially tough day.  Return the favor by being his or her sounding board.  The process of venting can make you feel better by simply talking about how you feel.  Many times a friend doesn’t have to say anything or simply acknowledge your points and you realize your problem isn’t as that bad.  Be sure to thank your friend for their time, ear, and good friendship.

5. Relax.  Have a go-to relaxation list.  When that moment hits and you’re ready to yell, give up, cry [insert your reaction here], open up that list on your smartphone and pick something.  Get a cup of hot chocolate, schedule a massage, draw a bath, or meet a friend for dinner.  Having a list to choose from helps you make smarter decisions instead of automatically grabbing a spoon and the ice cream bucket.  Buy yourself gift cards to a few of your favorite local places so that you’re armed and ready when the moment strikes.

This is just a starter list of ways to handle stressful moments.  Add to this list and make sure it’s easily accessible.  While these ideas don’t eliminate issues, they can help you relax and take a realistic look at how to handle the problem. By acknowledging that stressful times will happen and planning ahead, you’ll be ready to reverse a bad day and more positively tackle the next!

Miss FitGab