What does stress look like in your body? More importantly, what do you do about it?

Mental stress causes physical distress.  So, what does that look like?  Well, first let me point out the obvious (what most of you are thinking right now), and that is that stress is part of life. Everyone experiences stress...and is not all bad.  There is lots of good stress in life - getting a new job, a wedding, new love!  The "problem" begins when there is no reprieve from the not-so-good stress.  That buildup can cause something referred to as distress.  Most people have symptoms of distress everyday, but they become so use to them that they are categorized as "normal".  Distress can lead to physical upset.  Some of these physical symptoms include:  

• sleeplessness (difficulty falling or staying asleep)
• racing thoughts
• increased heartbeat
• upset stomach (or other digestive issues)
• muscle tension
• restlessness
• tension headaches
• grinding teeth
• neck/shoulder pain
• back aches
• aggressive body language ("on edge")
• increased sensitivity to light and sound
• ringing of the ears
• hives / rashes

Now if you are an over-thinker, please do not diagnosis yourself with a mental health illness or serious health problem after reading this list!  These are just some (of the many) physical problems that may develop as an accumulation of mental stress in one's life.  If you can relate to this, now what? What can you do? 

As a Licensed Massage Therapist, Energy Practitioner, and Spiritual Counselor, the obvious answer to me is, book an appointment, let me help you!!  However, there are some other things you can do for yourself, such as:

1.  Be honest with yourself.  I mean it.  Be really honest with yourself. 

Make a list of your "have to's" -- including all the social obligations and those in your life you say you just must interact with....No one but you will see this list, so don't hold back!

     a.)  This is the fun part...highlight anything that doesn't make  
            you feel good.  What do you have an adverse reaction
            to?  
     b.)  Out of what you highlighted, what can you truly say "no"
           to?  Some of these "have to's" will be no-brainers.  Those
           are easy to cross off the list.  Others will require more
           thought...Anything you initially feel can be knocked off 
           your list, cross it off!!  (How good does that feel?) 
     c.)  Okay, now to the rest of your list.  Some of what you really
           don't want to do may be necessity.  For instance, you
           really do have to pick your kids up from daycare.  Though I
          am not big on needing the approval from others, there are
          those (including law enforcement) that will frown on
          neglecting the kids...with that being said, what are the 
          other things on your list?  How many of these "have
         to's" are attached to what other people might think of you if
         you don't do them? 
     d.)  If you find yourself unable to cross things off your list
           because you are afraid of what you will look like or what
          other people will think of you, now is a good time to spend
         a little bit thinking about what that means to you.  I've come
         up with some very simple reflection questions.  Here goes:

         What would it say if I didn't do this?
                = the answer here may just lead you to a belief
                   systems that may or may not serve you anymore. 
                   We do things all the time because we were
                  conditioned at some point to do them, only to figure
                  out later that we never liked it and it's not really
                  necessary!

        Does this feed my soul?
                =  We need to do things every day that uplift us, are in
                     alignment with who WE saw we are and what we 
                    stand for.  So, simply ask, is that task in alignment 
                    with who I say I am?  In other words, does it feed 
                    my soul?  If the answer is yes, then what a great 
                    thing!  If the answer is no, you can ask, "Then why
                     do I do this?"  You will probably be brought right 
                    back to your list and having to determine if it is truly
                     necessary or not.

2.  Be Silly!  I mean it, be really silly!  Have you laughed today?  Well, you should.  You should laugh every day.  Don't miss the opportunity to find humor in every day living.  It's fun, it's easy, it's free, and it's an immediate stress buster.

3.  Get some sleep!  
        
    It is really necessary to stay up to catch up on your 
    "shows"?  Your body needs and reprieve and sleep is just the
     thing to bring that!

4.  Incorporate self care into your daily life.

    That's right, being nice to yourself should not be considered a
   treat.  I hear that more and more...When did we begin thinking
   and acting as if everyone and everything around us deserved
   more attention and love than us?? Worse yet is the feeling of
   guilt that some have associated with doing nice things for
   yourself.          

Some things you can try:

Meditate. Yes, you read that correctly.  Yes, you are capable of sitting with stillness for 3 minutes. Trust me, you may even start to like it :)

Take a walk, even if only around the block.  Carving out 15 minutes is doable, even for a working person, with kids, a dog, and deadlines.

Make a monthly date night with friends - or your partner for that matter.  (Preferably a weekly date night, but we can start small.)  Laughter is the best stress buster and best done in the company of your besties!  (I don't care how old you are, there is healing power in being silly with your best friends!)

Schedule a massage, an Energy Healing Session, or a Spiritual Counseling Session-- Swedish Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Deep Tissue, or Therapeutic.  Whatever your preference, massage and energy work will certainly help to quiet your mind and for at least the time you are on the table, you are certainly not focused on what you "have to" do. It's your time.  It's your reprieve.  You may be surprised at what your body is trying to tell you.  Need to know more about Spiritual Counseling, Click here:  Spiritual Counseling.



5.  Take a class.

    Paint class, exercise class, whatever!  What's your style, your 
    passion, or what have you always wanted to try?  Do it!  Not
    sure where to start?  Check out the Connecticut Small
    Business Networking Group.  There are direct links to various
    professionals from all different business wanting to connect
    and teach you! 

Connecticut Small Business Networking Group

I'd love to hear from you -- what stresses you out, what have you done to combat stress?   Check out what I offer and schedule your own appointment, or contact me for a free consultation.  I love helping people get back on track.