When I experienced perimenopause, I was super stressed out. I wasn’t sleeping. I was extra edgy. My waistline was increasing. I let a lot get to me. Frankly, I was a mess. But when I realized how much of my stress was created by me, I decided to do something about it. Once I understood I was a victim of my own choices, I made changes which helped me find stress resilience.
We create much of our own stress through our actions and thoughts. We make choices about how we approach our every day. We are in control of our choices and our thoughts, and over time you too can overcome worry. It takes a conscious stress resilience practice, yet I know you can do it. I did!
So, how can you start to combat the dangerous effects of stress on your heart, brain, waistline, and your life? Start slowly. Try new strategies and habits over time, not all at once. And if you choose new strategies wisely, they will become second nature!
Make sure your new habits have these five characteristics:
- Simple
- Easy
- Repeatable
- Important to you, and
- Small
To make them stick, new practices need all five. Don’t make the 30-Day Challenge or Crash Diet and Cleanse mistake again. SMALL achievable changes will create HUGE results.
Below are a dozen ways you can begin your journey to overcome stress and take responsibility for your own happiness. While 12 may sound like a lot of options, it really is just the tip of the iceberg of what I share with my clients. This list is a good place to start, so, choose one or two strategies you can fold into your life this week.
- Start your day with movement – take a walk, get on the foam roller, or stretch on the floor.
- Find and take notice of small joys in your day.
- Take movement breaks during stressful times – stretch at your desk, or go for a short, brisk walk.
- Catch yourself when you’re mindlessly rushing through your day, and S-L-O-W D-O-W-N.
- Stop dieting! Instead, learn what works for you, and fuel your body with nutrient-dense foods.
- Try breathing exercises when you feel the symptoms of stress closing in.
- Take time to compliment others.
- Reduce your alcohol consumption. Instead, reach for one of these stress resilience practices at the end of your long day.
- Practice gratitude.
- Drive in silence.
- Take short breaks in your day to do…… nothing.
- Prioritize your sleep!
If you want more support in managing the stress in your life, join Dr. Christine Kiesinger and me as we share effective strategies for supporting your stress resilience at my free webinar How to Stop Little Stressors from Becoming Big Stressors on Friday, May 10, 2024 from 12:30 – 1:15 PM ET.
Together we team up to offer valuable insights and practical solutions to help you navigate through challenging times with ease.
