16 Jul Transform Stress into Vitality
Are you finding that chronic stress is affecting your relationships and the way you deal with life? These days’ women are running more than ever to try and get more done than any other time in history. We keep going even though there are days when we feel like we have nothing left. Then we run on our adrenal hormone cortisol as well as add caffeine to our diet to handle what we feel we have to and just keep going. At first we can recover from all the demands we put on our bodies and minds. However, when this goes on for too long we deplete our adrenal hormone reserves and begin to operate in continuous fight or flight mode. This is when we feel heavy, bogged down and possibly see health challenges. Did you ever ask yourself, why do I need to be Superwoman? What does it give me? Do I give so much to make sure I will be loved in return? If this is the case it is time to re-evaluate. Can you lower your standards just a bit and still feel OK about yourself? Can you let go of how you think everything should be done and delegate more? We feel stress when we believe we must do something that contradicts our core values. It’s important to check in with ourselves first before committing to support another. Ask yourself does it feel right? Do I have enough to give to another or do I first need to re-charge my battery before I contribute energy? In order to be our most radiant selves we need to be true to what we hold important deep in our hearts.
Stress also occurs when we wish that something were different from what it is! That this body isn’t it, that this husband isn’t it, that this job isn’t it. Living in the moment accepting what is so is where the power is. These wonderful books can add light on the subject. Loving what is by Byron Katie, and The power of nowby Eckhart Tolle. I know it’s easier said than done, however the first step is to be mindful of what we are creating and why. From there ask yourself if your way of being is working for you or not. It may be time for an authentic conversation with yourself.
Here are 6 tips that can support you on your journey to calming down..
1) Actively manage stress hormones
Stress can cause challenges with moods, sleep, and blood sugar issues. Chronic fear, resentment, anger, and sadness trigger stress hormones as well. To support this eat a low glycemic diet, include vitamin Dthrough cod liver oil as it has been shown to reduce stress and naturally increase the feel-good chemical serotonin which is known to reduce anxiety. Magnesium is also important as it supports the cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous systems as well as decreases stress headaches. Many people have low levels of magnesium and this deficiency is associated with emotional and mental stress. This occurs because the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline release magnesium from the cells.
Epsom salts are mostly made of magnesium,
so soak in a tub with 1/2 cup of Epsom salts and you will be replenishing your magnesium-delightfully.
2) Sleep. There is no better way to rest and restore at the cellular level than sleep. Managing your stress with yoga, meditation, any form of mild exercise and sleeping 7-10 hours are all excellent ways to rejuvenate the mind and body.
3) Be aware of emotions and thoughts. Your beliefs are key to your health. Take time to listen to your thoughts and know that each of your cells are listening as they all have consciousness. How do you talk to and about your body? Notice if this way of talking serves your highest good.
4) Feel your feelings and then let them go. A wise teacher once told me it takes approximately 4 minutes for an emotion to move through your physical body. Most of us hold onto emotions and ruminate in them for what can seem like hours or days. It is important to allow yourself to feel all emotions and then let them go. Think about how you feel when you are full of joy or love. The sensation of these feelings bathes your cells in oxytocin which brings health to the body and mind.
5) Have a relationship with the Divine. Take the time to connect to your own spirit. Allow yourself to co-create health together with the power of the Divine which may give you a larger perspective. Allow your heart to open to the power of love, nature and all sentient beings as everything is connected.
6) Do something that gives you pleasure each day pleasure and fun decreases the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. Think of things to do that relax your whole being like an essential oil bath, reading, meditating, listening to music, taking a walk, surrounding yourself with nourishing people.
It is our time to stand in power and truth, in love with self and others, honouring our worth! It is time to come together in support of communities of women as we step up and step out and know that
we are a force to be reckoned with… In order to be our most radiant selves we need to feel healthy, well and strong from the inside out.
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