Let’s face it, life can be stressful sometimes.
It’s almost impossible to completely eliminate stress, and nor would I recommend trying. Believe it or not, a little bit of stress is actually good for us and means we are pushing ourselves, trying new things and expanding our comfort zones. This is what I like to call the stress “sweet spot.”
Zero stress usually means we are not moving forward or progressing towards our goals and can be a sign that we are not pushing ourselves enough. This can lead to boredom and even depression over time.
However, stress is only good up to a certain point and too much can start to affect us not just mentally, but also physically.
Whether your stress is coming from your work, family life, finances, or friendships, when it starts to negatively impact your health and healing, it’s time to act.
How does stress stop us from healing?
When we are stressed, our brain releases the chemicals cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine.
These stress chemicals played a vital role in our ancestor’s lives by putting their bodies in a “fight or flight” response. This gave us an incredibly useful evolutionary advantage during stressful situations, which back then, often meant the difference between life and death.
In today’s world, we don’t have to run away from sabretooth tigers, but the effects of these chemicals remain the same, and like I mentioned in Friday’s blog, when we are caught in this stress response, our body is not concerned with healing, it is only concerned with surviving!
This means our bodies no longer care about mending a broken bone, healing a cut or fighting off an infection. Your body is putting you in a state where your immediate survival is paramount, and everything else is pushed down the list.
So, if you feel like stress has been building up in your life recently and your body is not healing or performing as it should, then try these stress-reducing tips to bring your body out of survival mode, and back into your sweet spot!
Tip one – Get Active
If our bodies have triggered a fight or flight response, then we need to direct this energy somewhere and stop it from building inside us. Exercise is a great way to do this because not only does it lower the levels of these stress chemicals in our body, but it also releases endorphins in our brain, a “feel-good chemical” that can improve your mood and mental attitude.
Not to mention the added benefits of becoming fitter and healthier!
Lifting weights, cycling and yoga are all great ways to redirect your energy and start busting those stress chemicals, so even if you don’t feel like it after a long day, doing something that gets you active is an excellent way to destress, and you’ll feel so much better afterwards!
Tip 2 – Be Mindful of Your Diet
If you are prone to stress, it’s worth noting that certain foods and drinks can make you more susceptible. Coffee, alcohol, processed carbohydrates and foods that are high in sugar can all contribute to your stress levels, especially when consumed regularly over time, so try to cut down, or find alternatives like fruit and green tea to replace them.
Tip 3 – make time for yourself
I know this can be especially hard for some people, and they can feel guilty or selfish for scheduling time with a good book or a long bath. The fact is though, you can’t pour from an empty cup, and by giving yourself time to rest and relax, you are better able to help yourself and those around you.
Hopefully you can implement these tips to help manage your stress levels and give your body a better opportunity to care for and heal itself.
Finding your stress “sweet spot” can be a great way to improve your performance and health, so try to keep a healthy balance in your life, and as always feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about your health!
With love
Tom
