April has officially been known as Stress Awareness Month since 1992. If your life is anything like mine these days, we don't need a special designation to bring awareness to how stress has become an unwelcome constant companion in a very unhealthy way.
Some stress is a good thing. It helps us with that Fight or Flight reflex to be on guard for life-threatening situations.
How do you find balance these days and know what is the kind of stress that keeps you motivated and the kind of stress that tips you into overwhelm?
Right now, we are picking our way back to creating a New Normal in the wake of the Coronavirus. No man, woman, child, or beloved pet has not been impacted in some way.
I hope you have been able to make new discoveries or rekindle past passion during this time of introspection. Or, you got to slow down and spend time with loved ones instead of rushing off in a hundred different directions. ‘
How are you doing managing your personal stress level? Have you replaced your usual methods guaranteed to chase away the boredom blues and release that cabin fever pressure with something else, or are your favorite stress busters up and running again?
What do you do to keep your stress level out of the red zone?
Exercise. Always a great stress bust and good for both the body and the spirit. While your gym may be closed, the parks are still open for a run or bike ride. Your home is open for crunches and planks.
Meditate. If sitting in a lotus position and counting your breath isn’t your thing, why not begin a walking meditation practice? (Yes, it is exactly like taking a walk, but it sounds more significant if you call it a walking meditation!)
Journal. Of course, I’m going to suggest writing. It’s in my DNA to pick up a pen and have a conversation on paper. Consider establishing a daily writing practice for yourself where you escape on the page. Do a brain dump and release everything you are worried about, problem-solve about what to do next while you can’t do what you usually do, ask for guidance, and listen to what your soul wants you to know. Perhaps you will keep these pages. Or, you may tear them into tiny pieces. Maybe even burn them so your worries can literally go up in smoke. Whatever you decide, writing is a great release and resource.
Read. Speaking of resources, what about learning something new via a book on your shelf, or that online course you downloaded and haven’t gotten around to actually start yet. Of course, the internet has a wealth of tutorials calling your name.
Tell a Story. Does your family know much about where they came from? Before T.V., everyone was a storyteller and entertained each other with stories about their ancestors. What about sharing the sweet story of how you met your spouse? Talk about how you came to be living this house. Describe what school was like for you. Become a tour guide and report on your favorite vacation. Or any number of topics you could share about your life at another time and place.
photo credit: Dreamstime.com