Fighting the Stress Monster

  I know there are a lot of you out there who are feeling extremely stressed, overwhelmed, frustrated, scared, defeated, etc. so I just wanted to take a minute to remind you that you CAN do this. You are SO much stronger than you think you are and you can handle anything. Life is a rollercoaster. It goes up, down, and in loops. Even when things seem like they’ll never pick up, keep looking forward. Keep fighting. The low points WILL end eventually. 

"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."
-Franklin D. Roosevelt

  Hang on. Hang on with all of your might, and until your knuckles turn white. You are strong. You are mighty. You are glorious. And I love you. Yes, you, the person reading this right now, and I want you to push yourself to your highest limits because I know you are powerful enough to get through whatever it is that has you strung out. Be it school, work, people, or even yourself, you have the strength to get past it all and things will eventually get better.

“No beating yourself up. That’s not allowed. Be patient with yourself. It took you years to form the bad habits of thought that you no longer want. It will take a little time to form new and better ones. But I promise you this: Even a slight move in this direction will bring you some peace. The more effort you apply to it, the faster you’ll find your bliss, but you’ll experience rewards immediately.” 
― Holly Mosier

  Make a move in the right direction. Don’t just wait for the hard times to pass, work through them. Focus on one thing at a time, and don’t borrow troubles from tomorrow. Keep your mind set on what you are doing today. Worry about those other things later. In fact, write down all your worries and then think about them later. By writing them down, you trick yourself into thinking you’re still stressing over whatever it is, but you’re actually forgetting about it. 

  Don’t just stop there, though. Take time to meditate. Focusing solely on breathing and breathing deeply, even just for five minutes, does wonders for your body. It massages your muscles, gives you clarity, as well as relieves emotional and physical pain among dozens of other benefits. So take the time to find a quiet sanctuary away from other people, close your eyes and breathe. 

  There’s also the option to take a nap. Almost everyone I know doesn’t get enough sleep. It seems like naptime should be a nationally recognized daily routine. A 20 minute nap in the afternoon can refresh your mind and body even after a poor night’s sleep. You’ll want to avoid napping for hours, though. Your body goes through sleep cycles and one cycle is generally 20 minutes. It’s more affective to wake up at the end of a cycle than in the middle of one. Waking up in the middle of a sleep cycle will leave you feeling groggy and more tired than you were before. Save the long hours of sleep for nighttime.

  But what about insomnia? It’s hard not to nap for hours during the day when your brain won’t shut off at night. Taking a hot bath 90 minutes before going to sleep will help your body cool down and relax so you can slip into sleep faster. However, cold feet can prevent you from going to sleep. By wearing socks to bed, you improve your circulation which also assists your body in falling asleep faster. You can also develop a bedtime routine, avoid alcohol and nicotine, exercise, and avoid eating before bed to fight off insomnia. However, if you do exercise, it’s best to do it in the morning. Exercising too late in the evening will keep your body up and alert. 

“You’re only one work out away from a good mood.”
-Anonymous

  Not only does exercise fight insomnia, but it also relieves stress. You don’t have to go out and run a 6 minute mile, you just have to start somewhere. Once you get started, it gets a little easier every time. Do a few crunches or take a ten minute walk outside. Exercise releases endorphins and serotonin which naturally pick up your mood. It’s just common sense that exercise is good for you. Your body needs it and it’ll make you feel better about you. I promise. 

  Eating the right things can also help reduce stress. Foods high in vitamins B & C as well as folic acids like tuna, almonds asparagus, milk, cottage cheese, oranges, and blueberries help stabilize your mood. Dark chocolate has also been known to help relieve stress. Just don’t go crazy, about .7 ounces (40grams) or two squares of a large bar in the morning and in the afternoon is all you really need. It figures that chocolate would help relieve stress. 

If none of the above appealed to you, here are some other things you can use to try to reduce stress:
• Talk to someone who listens
• Music
• Listen to nature sounds 
• Scented candles
• Spritz favorite cologne/perfume
• Wrap up in warm blanket
• Wear soft clothes
• Hold a comforting object (stuffed animal, favorite possession, etc.)
• Chew gum
• Coffee/Tea
• Drink Water
• Take a break from technology 

  Everyone feels overwhelmed at some point in their lives and sometimes we do it to ourselves. It’s important to remember to pace yourself. Don't try to take on everything at once. Not only that, but be your own best friend. Reality is perception, so make your reality a wonderful place. Choose to be happy and choose to love yourself. It’s easier said than done, I know, but trying and staying optimistic absolutely pays off. Find something to smile about every day, even when all you want to do is cry. And you know what? If you need to cry, then cry. Let the tears flow until you’ve exhausted yourself. Then dry your eyes, pick yourself up, look in the mirror and tell yourself you ARE strong enough.

“That voice in your head, telling you that you can’t do this? It’s a fucking LIAR.”
-Anonymous 

I believe in you. It’s about time you did too.


Sources and such:
10 Superfoods for Stress Relief
18 Benefits of Deep Breathing and How to Breathe Deeply?
Bedtime Behaviors That Work: 7 Habits That Will Prepare Your Body for Sleep
10 Tips to Fight Off Insomnia

100 Benefits of Meditation

The Sweet Science of Dozing

Sleep Benefits: Power Napping for Increased Productivity, Stress Relief & Health

Dark Chocolate Takes Bite Out of Stress