How to Recover From Stress and Thrive Going Forward
Is it just me, or does everyone seem more stressed than ever?
Whether you are in the middle of a career change, starting fresh after a failed relationship, recovering from addiction, or just trying to get back into the swing of things after nearly a year of dealing with a global pandemic, managing stress is necessary to your physical and mental health.
By taking a whole body and mind approach to overall improved living, you can combat poor health, boredom, anxiety, depression, and other symptoms of underlying stress.
Exercise
Physical fitness is one of the key components of healthy living. With exercise, our bodies become stronger, which is important for sustained stress-reduction.
And when we choose activities that we enjoy, we can also ensure that exercise becomes a part of our daily lives. Once we find and dial in on sustainable physical activity, we essentially replace our bad habits and negative thoughts with good ones.
When incorporated into an overall healthy lifestyle, exercise can effectively replace unhealthy coping mechanisms, like excessive eating or alcohol consumption, for example.
In fact, it’s almost as if our bodies and minds didn’t know the difference — except for the fact that after exercise, we feel much better than we do after overeating or drinking.
By supporting our exercise routines with rest, a balanced diet, and elements of self-care, we can ensure that exercise remains a central part of our lives.
Getting Outdoors
In a similar way to exercise, getting outdoors more has the ability to elevate our mood. When we are happier, it is much easier to thrive with less stress.
Parts of us may be craving easy fixes, but when we are in nature, we gain a sense of perspective on our world and our place within it. Exposure to nature is proven to make us feel better, which minimizes stress.
Some ideas for incorporating outdoor activity are to join a walking group, hike with the family, exercise outdoors, and engage with our dogs in social play at a local dog park.
Each of these activities combines nature exposure with low-impact exercise, a natural combination in which nearly anyone of any age or fitness level can participate.
Pursue a Goal
When you’re stressed out, trying to focus on something positive can help you get through it. Many people find that working towards a new goal is the key to finding happiness.
Many of us develop and enjoy personal hobbies as children and young adults. From playing guitar to dancing, there are numerous hobbies that bring joy and meaning to life.
Sadly, many people drift away from hobbies due to busy schedules and family responsibilities. Hobbies, however, have been shown to be a key component in not only strengthening mood but in developing a sense of self.
Such self-knowledge or mindfulness helps us know our true goals and desires.
Alternatively, pursuing a new goal could mean starting up a side hustle or turning your dream business idea into reality. If you do decide to start a business, do it right to avoid more stress down the line.
First, you’ll need to select a name for your company – just double-check that it’s unique! Next, you’ll have to start the business formation process.
Forming an LLC will give you peace of mind, as your assets will be protected, and you’ll save money at tax time. To make the process easier, you can work with an online formation service for a reasonable price.
Organization
A final suggestion for improving your life, reducing stress, and becoming more productive is taking steps to organize one’s life. Organization may sound like drudgery — a lot of work and little joy — but once incorporated into your life, it can greatly reduce stress.
When your home is decluttered, so too is your mind. Anxiety disappears when you develop work and personal schedules.
Financial stress is lessened when you establish and follow a budget and remain mindful of your checking account balance. The alternative amounts to putting your head in the sand and reacting with fear and stress about some elements of your life that are actually quite easy to control.
These are trying times. It’s easy to feel maxed out, stressed, and overwhelmed. Luckily, there are resources available to help you take back control.
By incorporating a few of these tips into your life consistently, it’s possible to take better care of your whole self and start to thrive.
If you are looking for an online trainer who understands how your physical health affects your overall mental and emotional wellness, contact David Dummett for a consultation.
The Wrap Up
Stress is a natural part of our lives but it doesn’t have to be perceived negatively. We can easily moderate high levels of stress by using healthy coping mechanisms, many which are convenient and contribute positively to overall well being. Choosing a regular activity or hobby that you’re passionate about can help keep an individual’s life steadily balanced.
Photo Credit: Pixabay
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