Stress can be triggered in lots of different ways, and what affects one person, may not have the same impact on another.
A little stress can be good for us; you might have experienced days when you’re feeling the pressure but you enjoy it, it’s manageable and you know you can get the work done.
But when things become unmanageable or overwhelming with never-ending to-do lists, high workloads, relationship struggles, unrealistic expectations from yourself & others; throw in a poor diet, and lack of movement;
That’s when stress becomes a problem.
Stress; the ancestral link
Have you heard of the fight or flight mode? AKA Stress response
I think it’s ancestral and was lovingly handed down to us from caveman times (my beliefs, Lol) when those big woolly mammoths & sabre tooth tigers were chasing us!
So let’s do a little visualization…
I want you to imagine you’re back in cavepeople times, in a field happily plucking berries from a bush when all of a sudden you see movement in the distance in a bigger bush, your heart starts to pound, your stomach turns and your mouth goes dry…
Those changes to your body my friend is the fight or flight response.
And right now adrenaline and cortisol are flooding into your system causing your blood pressure to rise, and your muscles to tense for action.
Do you run or stay and fight?
As you’re deciding what to do in that split nanosecond, sugar is being released into your bloodstream to give you energy, and telling your immune system to be on high alert.
The bushes continue to move and before you can sprint away as fast as Usain Bolt…
You realise it’s your best mate literally beating around in the bushes just to scare the lion’s cloth pants off you.
Cheers mate!
After you’ve finished beating said mate over the head with a boulder and calling them a dickhead, your heart rate returns to normal, your stomach settles and you can swallow again as the adrenaline & cortisol settle down.
LIFE IS GOOD.
BUT
Imagine if our bodies are in this constant state of high alert, with no break, no respite to recover and switch off; constantly in a state of fight or flight.
What do you think happens to our bodies & minds?
Let me tell you;
😟Stress levels HIGH
😟You feel anxious
😟Peri-menopause symptoms worsen
😟Feelings of low mood/depression
😟Lose sleep
😟Feel frustrated
😟Get angry quickly with short tempers
😟Struggle to focus
😟Skin problems worsen…
😲You reach for the less than healthy foods and perhaps start to gain weight
😲Your lifestyle choices change, perhaps reaching for a gin more often than you would
And because you’re making different choices, all the above become worse too.
So, what can you do about it?.
It’s all about Self-Care, baby!
And giving yourself breaks.
It sounds straightforward, but from my experience, it can be one of the hardest things to do.
You think there is always something more important to do, or you feel guilty for downing tools and watching TV or going for a walk for 20 minutes.
But I promise you will benefit far more from taking that 20-minute break than pushing through.
And the only way this will happen is if you FACTOR THE SELF-CARE INTO YOUR DAY.
So next time you’re thinking about the week ahead and what needs doing, remember to take some time and plan out your Self-Care for the week.
And I’ve got a few key points & examples to help you do that.
When you’re planning what to do for Self-Care, I want you to think about:
1️⃣ How do you want to feel after your self-care time? Or what do you want to get out of it?
🙏🏻I know when I practice Reiki in the morning, I have clarity of thought, it creates space in my mind, and I feel calm.
🚶🏻♀️I know when I go for a walk during the day, I feel connected to nature, the blood is pumping, I’m getting exercise, and I feel happy.
🖊️I know when I journal during the day, I can work through my thoughts & feelings, channel messages, reflect on my days or weeks and celebrate my achievements; I feel proud.
2️⃣ How much time do you really have?
We think we don’t have any time, but if we’re honest with ourselves and set healthy boundaries, there IS time for You.
You might find my Universe’s To-Do list helpful in planning your weeks & self-care; if you’d like it, just drop me an email and I’ll send it straight over to you.
3️⃣ Who can support you
Kids, partners, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, mums, dads etc; can all get in the way of our self-care, BUT they can also be the key to our self-care.
Telling people, you are taking the time for self-care is essential in making it happen.
As parents, we have responsibilities, so having a support network to enable self-care is paramount.
4️⃣ What do you want to do for Self-Care?
Those ‘things to do for self-care’ images are helpful for IDEAS on self-care, but I wouldn’t recommend following them altogether.
We are all different; what works for You may not work for me.
This is why it’s vital to establish;
- How do you want to FEEL after your Self-Care?
- How much time do you have?
- Who can support you?
- What do YOU want to do for Self-Care
Is it essential to practice Self-Care to reduce Stress?
Absolutely Yes.
Establishing a regular Self-Care practice will give your mind, body & spirit the respite & break it needs.
All of this…
😟Peri-menopause symptoms
😟Period pains / PMS
😲Unhealthy food & drink/skin problems
😟Tiredness / can’t sleep/struggle to focus
😟Lack of or no motivation
😟Anxiety, low mood, depression
😟Frustrated / Angry / short fuse
…will reduce or become more manageable when you take time for yourself.
Practice & Patience
As Reiki Practitioners, we’re encouraged to practice Reiki daily; this strengthens our connection to the energy, the way of life, the precepts and our well-being.
Reiki is a form of Self-Care; it takes practice & patience.
And so I ask you to think of your Self-Care as a practice; plan it, nurture it and take care of your well-being.
For your mind, body & spirit; physically, mentally, emotionally & spiritually ✨
If you’d like support in creating your Self-Care practice, just click here to find out how I can help you or email info@spiritualwellness.uk
