Let's identify a few:
-How the people around us act
-How fast the person in front of you drives
-What your friends and family do or say
-Other people's health (especially those that we take care of)
-Sometimes, our own health (viruses, certain disease, unintended injury, etc)
-What could possibly happen to us tomorrow
These, among a lot of other things, lead to stress. Stress is a part of life. Stress is very hard on us. But, guess what?! We CAN control how we respond to stress. You don't have to let it take a toll on your health, which most of us let happen. (Sleepless nights? Higher blood pressure? Appetite for sugar and starchy carbs? Weight gain around your middle? Yep- all responses to continuous stress.)
The good news is that even when your day or a situation feels out of control, there really is something you can do for yourself. You can control your response. How do you do that? First, you realize that stress happens AROUND you, not TO you. Then, you have a choice:
1) Stuff the stress down internally and try to control what is uncontrollable, leading to poor health.
2) Find an outlet to drain it all out and keep your situation manageable.
I choose #2.
My favorite outlet to stress is a hard workout or even just getting up and moving my body around. Some of my best weight lifting/gym sessions have been in response to a stressful day! My past outlet was eating. (Not healthy eating either, but emotional-grab-the-first-thing-I-see-eating!) This is a toughie....emotional and stress eating isn't doing you any favors.
Instead, what can you do in response to stress or any situation in life that you can't control? Here are a few alternative things to try:
-Taking deep breaths. Any number for any amount of time.
-Physically stepping away from the point of stress or stressful situation
-If you feel the need to put something in your mouth, grab a glass/bottle of water and chug it
-Scream and yell.....just let it out!
-Keep your hands busy
-Do something completely mindless (coloring book, doodle, etc)
-Pick up a good book
-Take a hot soak or long hot shower
-Do something nice for yourself, like get your hair or nails done
-Some people like retail therapy!
-Yoga or meditation
-Pray
-Walk/run/take the stairs/ANYTHING active
-Talk to someone about it all
My guess is that you know all of this. You've heard all of this. In a world that you can't control, it's nice to have a reminder of what to do to take care of yourself. It's nice to have a reminder that we all have difficult times and want to grasp onto SOMETHING that we can have a say in. So, control what you can and let the rest go. Your health will benefit in the long run.
