Are you stressed?
Why we have so many more people feeling stressed these days has been attributed to factors such as job concerns, crime, changing societal and religious practices, etc.
I am not sure what stresses you, but I do know that the two reasons most people do not sleep well at night are worries about their health and about their finances.
Like the picture shows – when you are worried about health and money – ringing phones are themselves a stressor!
And I also know that stress leads to a lack of adequate sleep and that stress is a major cause of health problems.
Caveat – some stress is good for us – it can be motivating.
This post is about that stress which can be harmful and bad stress takes one on a cycle of – well – more stress.
The cycle goes like this:
- worry about health and money
- sleep less well
- get more stressed
- get stress-related illnesses
- worry more about health
- sleep even less well
- get even more stressed
- and so on…..
Here are 5 ways to start reducing your stress:
1 – you must get adequate sleep
How?
- going to bed at the same time every evening
- not watching TV in bed
- not having an argument before bedtime
- not reading murder mysteries at bedtime
- no late night eating – except maybe a glass of warm milk
Hard? Yes. Impossible? No!
2- you must exercise
I know it’s harder to exercise when you are stressed. So think of daily small things you can do that make your body move.
- stairs instead of elevators
- walking more
- jumping jacks.
- hopping or running in place in your house while watching TV or listening to the radio
3- you must eat properly
This means the right nutrition and at the right times because bodies need fuel just like your car does – and your body needs the right fuel and at the right time just like your car does.
- eat only when you are actually hungry
- snack on vegetables and fruit
- drink more water – a lot of “feeling” hungry is actually a need for hydration
- avoid soft drinks
- eat breakfast every day
4- you have to socialize
- spend quiet time with family
- go for a walk with friends
- hang out on Facebook or Twitter
- chat with your neighbors
5 – And the hardest for many – you must earn more income
I know the economy is not great but there are home-based business models that do well in an economic downturn.
- check out the company [due diligence]
- find a product that you really love and use it
- talk to your friends
- don’t expect overnight success – be patient but always take a daily step forward with your new business.
Comments? Thoughts? Thank you!