Stress and Stressful Situations - What Can You Do?

It's inevitable, you're going to have stress in today's world. Lots of stress.

Stress with your loved ones.
Stress with your job.
Stress driving in traffic [esp in Atlanta]
Stress with relationships.
Stress with burdens you take on, places you have to go, people you have to see, things you have to do.

It goes on and on. And never seems to end?

So, what can you do about stress and stressful situations?

First of all, I am not a doctor. I am a Fitness Professional and can only give you my opinion based on what I have seen in my clients as well as going through it in my life as well. Stress can kill you! It will kill you, if you let it. And if you let it, it will hurt your body and your mind. But so many of us walk around each day increasing the load over and over, on our bodies and our minds, until inevitably one of them breaks - body or mind. Many times, the mind protects itself and so therefore, the body suffers. It may be a nagging injury, it may be a sudden injury, it may be temporary, it may be permanent. Whatever it is, it takes the pressure off your overloaded mind and gives you something else to think about, I mean to stress about.

I see a lot of body injuries that are stress-related. I also see a lot of emotional injuries that are stress-related. You get to a point of "how much more can I handle?"

There is no easy answer and there is no one answer. But there are things you can do to help. Part of that is taking responsibility for your body and understanding that regardless of how much you take on, if your body fails, you will be unable to do it. Wait! Maybe that's why your body fails, it's telling you to not take on so much. ?? Is that possible?

Bottom line - the stress is going to be there regardless, the only thing you can change is your reaction to it. And you can take care of your body.

Harmful: 
Blaming others for what has happened in the past.
Taking on too much.
Letting things build up.
Not having an outlet for your emotions.

Helpful: 
Taking responsibility for the choices you have made.
Saying no when you can.
Getting things out in the open.
Having an outlet.
Taking care of your body.

Let's talk about the last 3 helpfuls:
Getting things out in the open. So many of us hold our emotions inside. Fearful of what others will think. Fearful of showing our emotions. Maybe even fearful of our emotions. Gotta get it out. Find some way. Talk, find a counselor, pray, cry, and most of all, stop shoving things under the carpet. Get them out in the open.

Having an outlet. Take it to the workout. You've heard me say that before. In my life, running is my therapy. It is my time to get things out in the open, examine them, fix what I need to, and let the others things go. It wasn't always this way. My outlet 10 years ago was to overeat unhealthy foods and not workout. And it got me to a place where I was obese and miserable. You have to make that choice. If you know what you want and you are not doing it, then you will be miserable. Find an outlet. It doesn't have to be running. It could be yoga, tennis, soccer, aerobics - anything that gets you up and moving and physical.

Taking care of your body. Find ways to HEAL from stress. My favorites:
• Massage - this is so necessary for your body to release unhealthy toxins. I consider it part of my monthly routine. Not only does it force you to relax, but it just helps you get healthy and push the bad stuff out of your body. Skimp on fast food, but spend money on this one. It is well worth it. My contact in Atlanta area:
http://www.simplymassagetherapy.com/ - talk to Dawn.
• Supplements - there are natural supplements that you can take to help your body in stressful situations, temporarily. Melatonin to help you sleep, Holy Basil, Vitamin B, and natural progesterone cream for hormone issues. Do the research and find out what will work with you. I would recommend talking to your doctor, but don't be surprised if he says you don't need it and it's in your head. Go with your gut instinct. Sometimes you have to go to a new doctor. Listen to what your body is telling you. If your hormones are off-balance, then you will know it if you listen. It doesn't mean that you can only fix the problem with a pill, but sometimes a supplement can help you through the rough times.
• Epsom salt bath - I highly recommend these, once or twice a week. Fill a tub with warm water and add 2 to 4 cups of epsom salts [yes, I know that is a lot]. Relax. Epsom salts are very healing to your body. Once again, you want to get the bad stuff out.
• Reflexology - this is the technical term for "rub your feet!". Okay, well, it is for me. Reflexology is the science of using pressure of thumb to release pain and tension, typically on the feet. This is a huge stress reliever, but not many people do it. If you don't have someone to rub your feet, hello? Do it yourself! Part of my nightly routine is getting a good aromatherapy lotion and rubbing my feet. For about 10 minutes. Find a reflexology chart and read about it. It is very interesting. Some believe that certain parts of your feet correspond to certain parts of your body. Regardless of whether you believe that or not, try it just for the heck of it and see if it helps you.

Find out what works for you. Take care of your stress.

Again, there is no easy answer, but there is a way you can start - start with the inside - start listening to your instincts, your inside voice and start healing your body and handling your stress. Let it out! Get it out! Now go and get healthy, okay?