Southport Magazine

Our lives can be filled with stress each and every day. And with the ongoing pandemic we are facing, many of us are experiencing higher stress levels than ever before. I know I have felt it, what about you?

Stress is sneaky. Especially right now, in the midst of the Coronavirus. Sometimes you don’t even know that you’re feeling it until you turn your head and your neck hurts; maybe you feel a constant pit in your stomach, or you notice your heart is beating faster than normal.

The truth is, some stress is normal, but chronic stress (like what can be happening right now with everything going on) can do a real number on your body. It can wreak havoc on your hormones, making you gain weight (especially unhealthy belly fat). And it can also take a major toll on your health, paving the way for illness and disease.

Scientists are learning more all the time about how stress can impact your health. But it seems clear that “chronic psychological stress” can affect your body’s ability to regulate its inflammatory response. Unfortunately, inflammation is associated with practically every disease process affecting our bodies!

OK. Enough of all that. I don’t want to add to your stress levels, I just wanted you to be aware of the impact it could be having before I share ways to counteract it. Yes, there are numerous ways to fight back against the excess stress you are feeling right now…and take back control.

So, what can you do about it?

Most of us have never learned how to use the powers within our own bodies to cope with stress. In fact, many of us were taught to “walk it off” and ignore it, in hopes that it would just magically go away.

“Pushing through” is often the worst thing you can do to get through a tough period, since it can keep your stress hormones elevated. If you’re not careful, feeling stressed can even become your new “normal,” so you don’t feel like yourself unless you’re feeling the pressure. Unfortunately, this is the case for way too many of us.

The good news is, you can take back control by learning some easy techniques that will calm your body, ease your mind, and lift your spirit.

I have an E-book that outlines 24 techniques and tips to help you feel less stressed. I truly believe it will help you lower your stress levels and find more balance in your life. And I am giving away this E-Book right now to help us all breathe a little easier.

Your breath is an incredibly powerful tool to combat stress. It’s so important that it’s worth taking several short “breathing breaks” a day. Deep breathing helps reset your autonomic nervous system – the system that controls your automatic functions like your heartbeat, blood pressure, swallowing, etc. – into a calmer space. It only takes 4-5 minutes to feel more relaxed and less stressed. I’ve included 3 detailed techniques in the E-book to help get you started with your breathing practice: one for deep breathing, one for relaxation, and another for energy.

Over time, stress can become such a habit that it starts to feel normal. How do you know if stress has become a way of life?

·   Listen to the voice in your head and be aware of what it’s telling you. Is it repeating stressful thoughts or phrases throughout the day? That’s one big clue.

·   Every once in a while, do a quick body scan: is your jaw clenched? Your shoulders tight? Are you holding your breath?

·   You often feel full of dread, sadness, or anger, and wonder why no one else is getting with the (your) program.

If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to start making some mindset shifts, soothing your spirit, and healing your body using the tips spelled out in my E-Book.

Please do yourself a favor and download the FREE E-Book from my website (BetterTogetherFitness.com/downloads). There are 24 items that can help you take care of you. You don’t have to do them all to feel a difference. Try them, see what works for you…see what makes a difference.

If you find some benefit, please share with a friend or family member. Even though we are all separated right now, we are still Better Together.

If you have any questions or other thoughts on the topic, I would love to hear from you!

Brian@BetterTogetherFitness.com

Get your FREE E-Book (24 Ways to Reduce Stress) here – BetterTogetherFitness.com/downloads