In this episode of Illinois STAR NET Regions I&III (http://starnet.org/home/) podcast, Rose Slaught (r-slaught@wiu.edu), Family Resource Specialist, discusses the importance of managing your stress, strategies to manage your stress, and overall improving your life by managing your stress.
Transcript:
Manage your stress and improve your life. We are all busy these days but we need to stay alert to things that can hurt us, those stress triggers. So what is stress? Let’s define it. A state of mental or emotional strain tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances, maybe like a pandemic or it is the body’s reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response. And These things can be physical, mental, or emotional. What are some things you can do every day to address your stress? We can drink water, we can use breathing to destress your body, stretch your body, practice daily gratitude, walk or exercise, eat real food, and get plenty of rest. So what about water? Water promotes movement in our body systems. It replenishes what we lose from breathing and going to the bathroom. Our brain needs water to cool itself and think correctly. Water is essential for blood production and it helps muscles, tendons, and ligaments work better so it helps our bodies. What about breathing? Breathing is automatic, yet it is necessary. Because how long can you live without breathing? Not very long. We can slow our breathing down when we are stressed out we can do conscious exercises to control our breathing and we can use breathing to reduce blood pressure and reset our emotional state. Stretching is like yoga it allows us to relax and promotes movement in muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It also promotes activation of the nervous system. It allows us to release pressure from joints and it builds strength and resilience in muscles. Practice gratitude daily, either through meditation or prayer or focusing on your goals. It allows you to see what is going well in your like and focuses on the goodness of parts of your life. It is positive reinforcement in itself. Exercise is so important. Our bodies are meant to work, not to be sedentary and sit around all day and work on computers. Exercise promotes health and well- being. It builds strength and our capacity. It works our stamina and it keeps our bodies flexible. Nutrition: We are what we eat, so eating good food is what we need. It promotes healthy and our brains and bodies need nutrients to stay strong and healthy. And for salt rejuvenation. Rest and Sleep is also a necessary component. We need sleep to repair our bodies, that is the only time our bodies repair. Rest also helps the brain repair and build neuro connections- that’s why kids need naps! It is because the brain is so busy making neuro connections, that the brain needs a chance to stop and repair itself. And we can try again with new vigor when we have rested. So remember, fill your life with things that bring you joy! Crafting, connecting, gardening, reading, playing games, listening or making music, laughter, and even spirituality. So remember put yourself on your priority list. Take time for your health. Teach and encourage others and yourself. And learn and try new things.
