Do you enjoy the pressure or are you really stressed out?
Pressure and stress are two very different things.
Pressure is having a lot to do, being able to do it and enjoying it while getting results. I know many people who enjoy the last minute energy and pressures of a deadline.
Stress generally happens when we are just too busy being caught up being busy, doing things over and over but getting nowhere fast, getting caught up in life’s details and not enjoying them. Like being on a hamster wheel. My advice? Get off quick! Recognise it and do something about it. Now.
Do you know what happens when stress builds up?
Sadly it’s when illness can occur. Back aches. Neck aches. High blood pressure. Nervous break down. Cortisol is produced in our bodies when we get stressed. Too much and it can be potentially life threatening.
Don’t delay, recognise it and act today.
We can help our bodies to combat Cortisol by producing more seratonin and endorphins, the good chemicals that are produced in our bodies naturally by smiling, laughing, relaxing more and exercising.
By noticing the triggers that cause you stress and changing something in your day to help you feel more relaxed.
I want to share this quick relaxing technique with you, to help you if you feel stressed, so in a few minutes you can change how you feel and feel more relaxed in a moment. Flood your body with good chemicals, like serotonin, endorphins, the good stuff! It will help to counteract the cortisol and your body will thank you for it. And so will your mind. Regain your clarity and focus and feel better. Mmm, imagine how good that will feel.
It helps me and my clients, and I wanted to share this with you today.
Here’s a 5 minute de-stressing exercise you can do at work when you feel you need to unwind, relax.
First, notice, what are you saying to yourself to help you de-stress?
Often what we say to ourselves makes all the difference. Instead of saying “aggghh, I don’t want to feel so stressed” instead
Say to yourself “I allow myself to relax, now”. Repeat this to yourself to feel more relaxed.
Notice those lovely feelings of relaxation starting already. Your shoulders have started to drop, your breathing has slowed down, the muscles in your face have relaxed.
How will you look when you are relaxed?
Imagine seeing yourself flopping down on your sofa or in your favourite chair. Relaxed. Or sitting in a park looking up at a clear blue sky. Or are you on a deck chair looking out to sea? In your mind see yourself being really relaxed. What picture works best for you? Keep breathing gently and allow yourself to relax even more now as you take in those wonderful relaxing sights. Now double those feelings of relaxation. Good.
And smile. This will release more of the good chemicals from your brain to your body. If you can, have a laugh too! Even if you’re forcing yourself to smile and laugh, you’re releasing good chemicals into your body. Feel better. Feel good. Feel more relaxed, now.
In the days and months ahead
Treat yourself to doing this relaxing technique 5 minutes every day to lower your cortisol levels. Just as an athlete will practise daily to build muscle memory to help them perform, if you practise this technique it will build and strengthen new neural pathways to help you relax more when you want to . In time it will become your automatic response at times of stress and it will help you de-stress quicker the next time you need to. Your body will enjoy feeling more relaxed and you will discover how you feel good, calmer, happier. De-stressed. Relaxed. You get the picture!
If you are interested in more relaxing techniques, please email me or call me.
So relax more today. And tomorrow!
Go for a walk in the fresh air. Go to the gym. Finish an hour earlier today and treat yourself to some ‘me time’. Yes, time for you. Not your clients or family, you.
To the relaxed, stress free you, thanks for reading this, I sincerely hope you feel more relaxed already and you have a wonderfully relaxing day now.
Lotsalove
Jo James xx