This guest post is written by Alicia Lawrence. See her full bio at the end of the post.
I know a lot of women who are struggling to manage all of the challenges in life. With burdensome weight on their shoulders, they had to find an outlet to get relief from the stress. Stressed stay-at-home moms, victims of abuse, overworked young professionals, the heartbroken and those experiencing loss could be pushed over the edge of their stress tolerance.
What You Put in Is What You Get Out
Fortunately, there are a few outlets that can help reduce stress levels. Staying active can help reduce stress, even it’s just a 20-minute walk after dinner. Try yoga and take some extra time to stretch your muscles each day. Chat with a friend to talk out frustrations, or take some “me” time with a bubble bath, a good book and some candles. Remember to take care of yourself first and foremost. Treat yourself every once in a while; plan a night at the movies, enjoy a weekend trip or catch up with a friend.
Make sure to eat the right foods–don’t depend on those drive-thrus to provide you with all the nutrients you need. Chances are those bad foods are dragging you down even more. Find time to cook at home to take more control of daily food choices. It may take more time than fast food, but it’s also likely to save you money, which will be one less thing to worry about!
Don’t Let the Dollar Sign Scare You
If a concern for money IS what is causing your stress, take a look at receipts and bills to narrow down where the money is going. Work is also a big stressor! If there are particular problems at work, don’t be afraid to recognize those issues and take action to correct them.
Replace Negative Outlets With Positive Ones
With the good comes the bad. Not only do we worry about ourselves, we also worry about others. That emotional stress can take its toll, leading to more drastic measures to eliminate stress by avoiding problems altogether. Drug abuse is one destructive way people cope with pain and stress. Having a drink with dinner is one thing, but when relying on alcohol becomes a way of survival something needs to change. Drug dependence will eventually cause more stress in life.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to a friend or loved one if they are in need. They may be carrying all their daily struggles and losing grip. Be aware of the signs of burnout: fatigue, lack of motivation, frustration and other negative emotions, problems at work and home, and rising health problems are all signs of burnout that can affect everyday life. If these signs of burnout sound familiar to your life, take some time to relax: unplug from the world by turning your technology devices off, make sure to get enough rest, know your limit and maintain a positive attitude!