This article was specially written as a guest blog for CorporateSpeechSolutions.com by Brad Krause of http://selfcaring.info/
Stress is one of the biggest inhibitors of our ability to properly care for ourselves. Chances are, unfortunately, that you think you are doing everything you can to keep stress at bay. But there is a good chance you are overlooking a few important things. From why exercise can help you manage stress to the reasons saying no can benefit your mental health, the following facts contain important information you should know.
Clutter causes stress at home.
We all know that a good spring cleaning can make us feel better about the state of our home. But, there is a ton of evidence to suggest that clean should be a chronic condition. According to Men’s Health, disorganization is not harmless. And clutter can have a profound and negative effect on our brains. Not only can it cause stress by having to spend extra time looking for lost things, but visual clutter can put your body into a constant state of survival mode.
When you remove unnecessary objects from your home, you free up space in your mind to relax. You are not constantly sitting around thinking of what needs to be cleaned, but you can see that things are already in their own place. To jumpstart your decluttering – and de-stressing – efforts, consider spending a little cash on a one-time professional tidy-up. If it proves helpful for your stress, consider it a sound investment and make it a regular occurrence.
Exercise ousts anxiety.
If you are looking for an excuse to exercise, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America has one. According to the organization, exercise is one of the fastest and most effective ways to make yourself feel better. You don’t have to hit the gym every day to jumpstart your brain’s release of endorphins – the chemical released when you exercise that also happens to be partly responsible for mood. A walk around the neighborhood may be enough. Motivate yourself to step away from the computer by investing in a smartwatch or fitness tracker. You can also download apps, like the Pocket Personal Trainer, that will help you discover diet plans and exercise routines that fit your particular skill level and lifestyle.
A sleep-deprived body creates a stressed mind.
There is a nasty relationship between sleep and stress. If you are stressed, you can’t sleep. When you can’t sleep, your body struggles to keep up with the demands of the day. When this happens, your brain shoots out injections of cortisol to compensate. Fortunately, there are many natural remedies you can try tonight to steer your body away from stress and toward sleep. Start by reducing noise and light in your bedroom. This should include ditching your devices about 60 minutes before it’s time to hit the hay. Make sure to create a bedtime ritual, which can include anything from a warm bath to using lavender spray on your pillow.
Saying yes leads to stress.
The Irish Times discusses in length the problem with saying yes to everything. We live in a society where we feel obliged to oblige. Unfortunately, this leaves little room to focus on ourselves. Here’s an example scenario: You sleep poorly Monday night. Tuesday afternoon as you are getting ready to clock out, your coworkers announce that they are having dinner together after work and would like you to join. You are fatigued, stressed out, and just want to get home to your pajamas. But you put a smile on your face and make plans to meet up in an hour. Sound familiar? Probably.
Situations like this are tough because we do not want to be perceived as negative. Sadly, it is our good intentions that can turn us into snappy, snarky, balls of stress at work and at home. Remember, it’s okay to tell people that you need time alone. Chances are, they’ll understand. Even if they do not and take it personally, you have to prioritize yourself if you want to maintain your mental health.
Your mental wellness is not something you should leave to chance. And now that you know a few facts about how stress affects your brain and body, you can implement the above tips to take control starting today.
The article was specially written for corporatespeechsolutions.com by Brad Krause of http://selfcaring.info/
