Stress Management For Women
Stress Management For Women
With all the hustle and bustle in our lives, it is easy to imagine that we all can get a little stressed. As we all know, there isn’t always ‘down time’ when we want it and the unexpected happens whenever it pleases. It can get a little hectic, don’t you say? In order to stay happy and healthy, here are some ways to help manage your stress from our friends over at Park Meadows Pilates & Physical Therapy. With a couple tips for scheduling and activities, you’ll be on your way to a happier and healthier you!
Scheduling
Many of us have over-scheduled lives, simply put. With all the responsibilities that may arise, it is very easy to get overwhelmed with little time to yourself. It is very common for individuals to find themselves in reaction mode to the needs of everyone around them. One of the biggest triggers of stress actually comes from not scheduling time for you.
One of the best ways to manage stress is to put specific times in your schedule for you. Make it a priority and respect it like you would any other important matter.
Creating daily routines can also help you master your scheduling. Good daily routines include things such as movement, exercise, relaxation, & socializing. You can do anything from reading, journaling, & meditation, to knitting.
Creating rituals throughout our day can be very important as well. Things such as staying hydrated, planning exercise, & taking time to eat can ease the stressed and rushed tempo in your life. This can mean waiting to check your email until you prioritize your day or staying away from distractions and social media. Be sure to maintain boundaries in your life to help keep everything in check.
By scheduling your day you are determining your priorities. Outlining exactly what needs to be done that day can help minimize stress and allow you to focus on what is really important. This strategy allows you to take control of your life and takes you out of ‘reaction mode’. The unexpected does happen, but scheduling and prioritizing will help keep you grounded.
Activities
When it comes to our ‘play time’ we want to engage in activities that get us out of our normal way of thinking. Rhythmic activities such as yoga, Pilates, painting, and other creative activities are all great ways to do that.
As far as exercise, doing a ‘bursting’ exercise could be helpful. This doesn’t have to be a long session, and it could even take 15 minutes or less. Exercising properly will allow you to use fat as the main fuel supply, instead of sugar. You’ll be able to lose weight, get fit, detox, boost energy, and stabilize your mood. Who doesn’t love that?
Great stress relieving activities are ones that use your whole body. Tom Myers and the individuals of Anatomy Trains use the idea that since none of our muscles function in isolation, it doesn’t make sense to train them that way. Movements such as Pilates, Yoga, Tai Chi or any type of movement that simultaneously uses multiple muscles is a great option to use your whole body.
Even eating can help relieve stress…if you do it right! Individuals can accomplish this by eating nutritional food and taking their time. Taking 30 minutes or longer without the distractions of TV, reading, or your cell phone is suggested. You want to eat calming foods like warm soups, tea, warm vegetables, and protein (can be meat or a meat substitute). Try to stay away from cold salads, sugary snacks, and chips. With eating and nutrition, it is all about finding that balance of what you eat and the ritual of eating.
The take away
Stress can easily derail your day and life. By ensuring that you put aside some time for you, while creating good habits and rituals, you can limit stresses effects. We aren’t always able to control what life throws at you, but having a strategy will help you deal. So relax, breathe, and keep on truckin’ on.
Thank you to Lindy Royer of Park Meadows Pilates for contributing to this week’s blog!
Lindy Royer is an outdoor enthusiast from Australia, who now lives in the Denver area. She has trained and worked in Sydney, Australia prior to moving to the US to pursue her life-long passion for skiing. Many years later, having experienced the limitations of the traditional medical model as both patient and practitioner, she began to explore a more balanced body/mind approach to health, fitness and rehabilitation. This led her to studying The Pilates Method, where she discovered an amazing teaching and treatment system, which opened a whole new world of possibilities. Linda enjoys spending time in the beautiful mountains of Colorado, hanging out with her dog, Princess Leia, and traveling to new places with her husband and two amazing “boys”.
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