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Have you ever noticed what happens to your body when stress comes knocking at your door?
We all know that stress is not good for us. We may not know the many ways it can wreak havoc with our body, our mind and our cortisol levels. Physically it can cause us to overeat, undereat, it can cause cardiac issues, stomach issues, sleep issues, headaches and migraines. It can cause increased anxiety and depression, impacting our ability to navigate some of the day to day challenges. It can impact our mindset and relationships.
The holidays are just around the corner. There are so many ways these celebrations cause stress. Often there are concerns about a clean home, buying the food, the expenses of the holidays, time with difficult family members. The list is long for many.
For many, there are other, everyday stressors that can include finances, job security, health issues for one’s self or for family members, ongoing mental health issues.
How does stress affect your body?
How does it affect your mind, the way you think and the way you feel?
The other day, after a long work day that was supposed to be a short work day I took the dog out for a quick walk and immediately noticed the tension in my shoulders, a headache creeping in. The tension in my body was palpable. I paused for a moment, took a deep breath in, taking in the peace of the evening dark sky, noticing the unusual warmth of the autumn air, the smell of the crisp leaves that lay about us. I found myself breathing more deep breaths, exhaling the stress of the day and feeling the tension leave my shoulders.
Breath is one of the most accessible tools we have for managing stress. We do it every day, we do it about 23,000 times a day. Pausing for a moment when feeling stressed or in a difficult situation allows us to take some deep breaths. This can be as simple as breathing in and breathing out. It could be counting to 5 on the inhale and 5 on the exhale, or whatever number works best for you. There is visualizing the stress, worry, resentment leaving your body as you exhale, and on the in-breath, breathing in peace, calm, joy, acceptance.
As you navigate the joys and stressors of this holiday season I invite you to remember your breath. Make a sticky note, putting it in places where you may need the reminder. When you feel tension creep in, breathe. When you feel angry, breathe. When you are stressed or scared, breathe. Exhale these stressors. Breathe in the beauty, the love, and joy of the days, of the season. Breathe in gratitude.
Wishing you light and love,
Lisa
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