3 Tips For When You are Feeling Stressed
What do you do when you feel stressed? Here are some tips from an experienced therapist.
Just Breathe
We do it all day, everyday naturally, without thinking about it. As soon as you start thinking about it, breathing becomes altered, distressed, labored, unintentional. Statistics have proven, and you can prove it to yourself, that you are able to lower your blood pressure and heart rate by just taking 10 deep slow breathes a day. Try it. Breathe in, hold it, then breathe out. Place your hand on your stomach to feel the breath fill and empty. Focusing on your breath is a form of “grounding”, a technique used to bring your attention to the “here and now” instead of what is stressing you. According to Lisa Firestone, PhD, “We improve our ability to focus our attention. We are better able to slow the racing thoughts that lead us to engage in limiting or self-sabotaging behaviors. We strengthen our resilience and enhance our capacity to experience the joys of everyday life.”
Talk to Someone
Pent up feelings, fears, trauma and disappointments are some of the key reasons people experience symptoms of stress. When people feel like they have a safe place to share, explore and ask questions, they report having a greater sense of relief and hope for a healthier self. Other people claim to lower their levels of stress by participating in a group, or a group activity. The most important thing for you to do is to let it out and release the stress.
Invest in YOU!!
Find time for you. This can be a few minutes each day to focus on breathing, participation in exercise or another community activity, and counseling. I bet you can find time for others, so why not take some time for you? It’s ok. It is not an act of selfishness or greed, rather an important and necessary investment in your own healthy physical and mental health. I think you will be glad you did.
You can call Health for Life Counseling Grand Rapids to have a complimentary 15-minute consultation at 616-200-4433.
Or you can schedule online today!
References:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/compassion-matters/201303/benefits-mindfulness
