Managing stress and anxiety

The secrets to managing stress and anxiety

Do you find yourself feeling overloaded and with very little time to fit everything in? Most of us tend to have a busy lifestyle, however if this is starting to take a toll on your health and well-being you need to find resources to support you.

There are more individuals reporting that their jobs or their lifestyle are making them stressed and unwell.  There are some people, however, who appear to be able to manage their professional and personal life whilst still being productive – and they are usually happy.  So what’s their secret?  The secret isn’t really a secret; these individuals just like you and I have created positive habits that make them feel productive and energetic, and yet at the same time calm and rested.

Prioritise sleep.

Well rested people understand and appreciate the value of sleep to their health and well-being.  Not having enough sleep can significantly affect. mood, energy levels and productivity.  We all know a good nights sleep helps your body to heal and recover. You won’t feel fatigued at the start of the day but energised and ready for work.  Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep every night.

Be more Mindful of being in the moment.

Meditation doesn’t mean you need to sit crossed legged on the floor.  Meditation isn’t about shutting out all thoughts as that’s impossible to do. Meditation is simply stopping for a few moments in a quiet place ideally, but can be done anywhere. Observing your breath and breathing and allow your thoughts to float by.  Practising a few minutes will quieten the mind of negative thoughts and help you feel  re-energised to continue your day.

Don’t lie there snoozing.

Setting your alarm clock ahead of your usual wake-up time so you can snooze for an extra 10 minutes has shown it can actually make you feel more tired throughout the day.  The few minutes of sleep during the snooze is not beneficial sleep.  Set your alarm at a later time and commit to getting up the moment it rings.

Exercise.

Build exercise into your daily routine, even if it’s a brisk lunchtime walk.  Physical activity is a great way to lift your mood and energy levels and build your immune system; the benefits are huge.  Choose a time that works best for you, morning, noon or evening.  Regular exercise leads to more restful sleep.

Don’t continue with negative habits thinking they make you feel better.

People might think that smoking relaxes them.  This is not true; smoking increases the amount of stress hormones in your body and puts you at risk of many health problems.  Smoking deprives the body of oxygen and increases stress on the heart; thats not relaxing.  Well-rested people do not rely on alcohol to fall asleep. Alcohol can make you feel tired and relaxed at the time maybe, but ultimately it is a stimulant so your sleep is interrupted.

A few minor changes to your lifestyle will ensure you feel energised and able to cope with what used to appear overload.

If you are feeling that anxiety and stress are taking over your life make an appointment to see me as soon as possible, I can help you begin to live the life you deserve.

Contact me now – 07834 666979 nigel@strongminds.co.uk