These are stressful times. Let’s be honest: we live in a stressful town. Stress is everywhere, especially here right now as we (consider the) transition back into our “new normal” lifestyles. 1 in 6 Americans takes an anti-anxiety drug. In fact, anti-anxiety medications rose by a whopping 34 percent since March 2020 – and the number is greater among women than men.
Click here to learn more about my “New Normal Corporate Program” for teams seeking relief from stress.
I had a super-duper stressful life. And this was just a few years ago. I wasn’t sleeping. I was extra edgy. I let the little things get to me. I was a mess. After I realized my stress was 100 percent created by me, I decided to do something about it. Once I began to understand I was a “victim” of my very own choices, how did I have the right to point fingers at anyone but me, myself, and I?
We create our own stress through our actions and thoughts. We make choices about how we will approach our every day. We are in control of our thoughts, and over time you too can overcome worry. It takes a conscious stress resilience practice, yet I know you can. 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… choose new strategies wisely, and they will become habit!
Make sure they are…
- simple,
- easy,
- repeatable,
- important to you, and
- small.
New habits need all five. Don’t make the 60-Day Challenge or Crash Diet or Cleanse mistake again. Make small changes for HUGE results.
Below are my top 25 ways you can begin your journey to attack your stress and take responsibility for your own happiness. You may wonder why I have 25… This is just a sample of what I teach our corporate and concierge clients. I started with a list of 50 yet realized it may overwhelm our readers.
1. Develop a set of core values by which you choose to live. Do not compromise them for others
2. Be vulnerable and embrace uncomfortable conversations with yourself and others
3. Reframe the stress
4. Learn to Master Mindfulness
5. Find Small Joys in your day
6. Exercise daily
7. Understand uncertainty is the pathway to growth and massive brain health
8. Stop dieting – Instead know what works for you and fuel your body with nutrient-dense foods
9. Become an Olympian breather
10. Pay compliments to others
11. Lose the Comparison Syndrome
12. Reduce your alcohol intake
13. Practice gratitude
14. Drive in silence
15. Say “no” more than “yes”
16. Boundary your time
17. Surround yourself with like-minded and supportive people
18. Give up FOMO
19. Develop a Growth Mindset
20. Be realistic about your expectations of yourself
21. Listen empathically
22. Take short breaks in your day to do nothing
23. Shake the negative self-talk
24. Get your sleep
25. Lose “I can’t” in your language
There has never been a more important time for organizations to invest in wellness support for their team members. If you are interested in exploring ways I can help you or your team gain stress resilience, contact me at contact@adriencotton.com or check out our programs here.
