Monday Moments – 5 Strategies for Battling Stress

Happy Monday Moments you guys!! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Today’s Monday Moments post is going to tackle all things related to stress. A part of growing up is figuring out who you are, what your strengths are and overcoming some weaknesses along the way. For me, it took getting to know my husband to realize that I’m such a stress ball. For those of you that don’t know Ajeet, he is very much type B and insanely relaxed when it comes to little and big things (sometimes too relaxed, lol). If there’s no way he can fix a problem at the very moment he discovered it, then he’ll just move on with his life until he can take care of it. Me? Oh no no. I’m not like that at all! I stress all the time over the smallest things, especially when it comes to stuff being done. Sometimes it gets pretty bad to where I can’t sleep at night just because I’m thinking and overthinking. Ajeet has slowly taught me how to tackle some of my stresses and how to handle life properly when it doesn’t go your way. I love that I have him in my life because we balance each other out so well and this is just one example of how, well, opposites attract! I’m sure as you read more of my personal posts, you’ll come to learn how great we work together but for now, I really want to dive right into battling stress.

I’ll save you from all the technical and medical consequences from stressing too much (because I’m no doctor) but as you probably know, uncontrolled stress can really lead to a lot of health problems (high blood pressure, depression, increased heart rate, etc). Stress can really take over your life if you don’t know how take control over it so here are my tips on how to reduce stress!

5 WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS

• EXERCISE. I can’t stress enough how important exercising is for everyone. Not just for your physical health but for mental as well. As I mentioned before, there are times where I couldn’t even sleep at night because I was stressed. I’ve always been big on going to the gym but since moving out, I noticed myself slowing down. Responsibilities kicked in and I had more excuses than I should have to not go to the gym. Over the past couple of months, I’ve made a change. I try to go the gym 4x a week, and a lot of times I go after dinner. Someone once told me that it’s better to go in the morning but a) I’m not a morning person and b) I really find it easier to sleep if I go to the gym right before bed. Plus, I like showering before bed so it’s a double win for me.
• REST. This is a bit vague. Everyone finds relaxation in something totally different. Some people meditate, some walk, some play with dogs to relieve some tension, some just sit and have me time. Whatever it may be for you, it’s so so important to just rest. That means, taking time away from your regular scheduled programming and let your whole body relax. Personally, I rest in two ways. First, I love walking Snuffy (my family dog). It’s a nice way to us both to get our feet moving and also just be outdoors and walk it out. Oh and by the way, having a dog totally reduces stress levels. Dog owners are said to be less stressed than others so yeah– adopt one if you’re ready to commit! 🙂 But anyway, I know walking outdoors is supposed to be all sorts of good for you so even just starting your morning off with a 15min walk might be a good habit to pick up! Second, I breathe…deeply. I know that sounds so cliché but if it works, it works. If you have a few minutes, just sit up straight (or stand up straight), and breathe slowly and deeply. You should literally feel your lungs expand! Deep breathing helps oxygenate your blood and overall helps clear your mind.
• EAT RIGHT. Alright, no one is saying go on a hardcore Paleo diet– although if that’s what you want to do then more power to you! I do know eating right affects your overall health and some foods have even shown to reduce symptoms of stress! Fruits, veggies, tuna, nuts, and fish with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids are 5 things that are good for your mind, body and soul!!! I also know tea is really good stimulation for you and helps with stress as well.
• TALK IT OUT. This is where you need a good pal, family member or significant other to love you and your crazy ways. Sometimes just talking through your stress (even more than a few times) really really helps. You want to find someone in your life that understands you, takes your concerns seriously and really tries to make you feel better. Sometimes all it takes is for you to just let it out and have someone listen, other times you really need that person to reciprocate and respond to you in a meaningful way. Whatever it may be, talking it out and listening to a reassuring voice can really put things in perspective for you. If you don’t have anyone you feel like you can trust with what you’re going through, then talk yourself through. I’ve done it and still do, it helps!
• ACCEPT. Yeah, this one is annoying and can be really hard to do. Sometimes life throws you curveballs and there’s nothing you can do about it. You can’t pick up a phone, call someone, or try and fix it on your own. If you don’t have control over whatever it is you’re stressing about, then as much as it pains me to say it…you’ve got to accept it and move on. I struggle with this a lot. One example was after I finished my last set of law school exams, I would stress for SO LONG after the exam and try to remember the questions of the exam and search the answer in my notes to see if I got it right. I just wanted to know my grade right then and there or if I even passed and I would drive myself NUTS. My husband was there to remind me that hey, you know what, you studied for the exam, you did your best and now it’s over. There is nothing left you can do. Gosh darn it it is hard to accept that but you have to or you’re only hurting yourself both physically and mentally.

Those are just 5 things that I’ve found to help me out. Trust me, there are SO many different wants to help ease your mind and battle stress together but you just have to find things that work for you. Someone once told me that laughing it off helps and I’m sure there are some scientific research to back it up but hmmm yea no, that doesn’t help me at all, hah! It’s all about finding what works for you and that can be a process. Just be patient and trust yourself to figure it out. I hope this post helps you a little bit! If you’re very stress-natured like me, then trust me I know how hard it is to battle it all together. Some stresses you’ll be able to take on and some you just can’t but the least you can do is take measures in your life to be better at overcoming it altogether.

Ok that’s a wrap!! Here’s my outfit for the day! I’m sharing this beautiful, inexpensive camisole that I bought from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! It comes in black and green, both totally cute! My jeans are also from the sale and it’s the softest pair of jeans you’ll ever own!! 🙂 Chat soon, loves!

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