During a period of enforced sick leave, brought on my chronic stress and burnout I realized I hadn’t been focussing on my health and well-being.
What is stress? Stress is the feeling of being overwhelmed or unable to cope with mental or emotional pressure.
Looking after our physical and emotional health is vital to ensuring we manage the demands of everyday life.
Here are four ways you can start:
Movement
Getting outdoors daily can have a positive impact on how we feel physically and emotionally and give us perspective. Whatever we do to move, we must make sure it is fun! If you do not find enjoyment, it will be impossible to sustain it. If you have not exercised in a while, start gradually, and build up.
Hint: figure out what you enjoy and then start e.g., make a regular commitment to walk 5,000 steps with a friend, listen to an interesting podcast while walking, or join a local fitness club and buy a package to ensure commitment.
Sleep
Getting enough sleep is one of the biggest contributors to coping with daily stress, improving memory, immunity, and our ability to focus.
Hint: Avoid caffeine, 6 hours before sleep. Ensure you have a period of wind down at least 1 hour before bedtime, switch off your ‘phone or TV, and read, meditate, write a journal, make a camomile tea, or have a relaxing Epsom salt bath.
Boundary setting
This is one of the hardest changes to make, especially if we find it hard to say no. However, setting boundaries
is important for mental health and you have the right to say no. One way to start is by practising how to manage a situation.
Hint: Here are examples “Sorry, I have already committed to something else,” “Unfortunately, I have too much on my plate right now,” or “I don’t currently have the bandwidth to help, but if you still need help by the end of the week, let me know.” Chances are that problem will have gone away.
Nutrition
Eating well has a direct impact our wellbeing and vitality. There are a few things we can do to positively impact our nutrition.
Hint: Increase the number of plants in your daily diet e.g., add 1 new green vegetable into your weekly diet e.g., spinach, kale, broccoli. Drink more water – aim to drink 2 litres / 4 pints of filtered still water per day. Reduce processed food, including sugars, dairy, meat, and processed junk food; cutting down gradually rather than completely cutting things out straight away, will make it sustainable overall.
Summary
The four areas above are suitable places for you to start dealing with those feelings of overwhelm. You could introduce some of these today. If you would like help and support managing stress and burnout and would like to know more about tailored health & wellbeing coaching solutions, please reach out to me – I’d love to help you!
Contact me at: Rachael@Healthcoachbrighton.com
#stress #stress management #chronicstress #balance
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