Image courtesy of tookapic from Pixabay
Are you feeling a bit bogged down by the stress in your life?
April is Stress Awareness Month, the perfect opportunity to identify your stressors, shift from a negative to positive mindset, and take action to reduce the stress in your life.
Having high levels of stress can be the cause of so many negative things in our lives—from feeling overwhelmed and anxious to decreased productivity, lowered self-esteem, and major health issues.
That’s why this month is so important—it helps us recognize how important it is to take care of ourselves mentally and physically.
It can be hard sometimes to know how or where to start, but don’t worry!
To help get started on your journey toward managing stress more effectively, here are three simple tips that can make a big difference.
Click on the image to watch this 1 minute YouTube video
1. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of your thoughts and feelings in the present moment without passing judgment on yourself or others. Research shows that incorporating 12 minutes of mindfulness into your daily life through meditation and other mindful activities can help reduce levels of stress, maintain productivity, and increase well-being. Download my mindfulness audio and other tools here.
2. Spend Time in Nature
A growing body of research suggests that spending time in nature improves working memory and reduces negative emotions and stress. A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found “exposure to nature for one hour decreases amygdala activity and can have salutogenic effects on brain regions related to stress. . . . This suggests that going for a walk in nature may buffer detrimental effects of an urban environment on stress-related brain regions, and in turn potentially act as a preventive measure against developing a mental disorder.”
3. Get Enough Sleep
Sleep plays an important role in our overall health and well-being. Lack of adequate sleep can lead to impaired judgment, increased risk of accidents, decreased productivity at work or school, a weakened immune system, and increase in stress levels. Long-term deprivation of sleep can result in severe health consequences such as depression or cardiovascular diseases.
Studies have shown that those who get adequate sleep are less likely to be anxious or depressed. Sleep helps our body to repair itself, reduce stress levels, improve memory and concentration, boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and regulate hormones.
For adults, the recommended amount of sleep is 7–9 hours per night. It is clear that getting enough quality sleep is essential for physical and mental health.
It is important to reduce stress as it literally kills people. However, most people don’t recognize what it’s costing them to not make the changes to reduce stress.
Most people fail to make the changes they would like because they lack the motivation, time, and resources to do so.
They may know what they want to change but lack the confidence and commitment to make it happen.
Additionally, they may have difficulty overcoming obstacles such as fear or confusion. Without proper guidance and support, it can be difficult for people to achieve their goals and make meaningful changes in their lives.
A coach can help you create a plan for success and hold you accountable to it. They can provide guidance, advice, and motivation that can help you focus on achieving your goals.
They can also offer an objective viewpoint so that you don’t become stuck in negative thinking patterns that may be holding you back from progress. With the help of a coach, you will be more likely to make positive changes in your life that are sustainable and long-lasting.
If you are ready to make some changes and would like to see how a coach can support you, schedule a complimentary session with me today!
Here is to you being the best version of yourself.
Xo,
River
