How are you managing your stress?

It seems like lately my normal stress management toolbox has been inadequate. I don’t know about you, but I have been feeling it more than normal. Between the economic squeeze, the news cycles bombarding us with politics and wars, a continuous flow of fires, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes not to mention Poas Volcano, the internet seems to be continuously out of service, the general sense of exhaustion and dread on everyone’s face and that fear of saying a thing out loud to anyone in your professional or personal world that might change your relationship permanently. Let’s be honest, it’s hard to feel like we are “managing” our stress well when moments of peace seem like a luxury outside our reach unless we are hidden away from current events. 

At first, I kind of felt it and then a month or so passed by and I realized that I had been quietly carrying an extra load of it around without taking extra measures and then came the “I can’t get out of bed this weekend” crash.  After some rest and crying for no clear reason, I began to realize I need to take extra precautions to help my mind and body get through these seemingly extraordinary times.  

I am sharing this because part of what has helped me was to allow myself to recognize it and then let it out as honestly as I know how to do.  I hope that my honesty and vulnerability in sharing invites you to do some of the same.  To be clear, this is not a petition for me personally.

Once I realized it was time to take extra measures I, with what started with little energy, I began to take more care in being present in my normal stress management routines instead of doing them sort of mindlessly as I had started to slide into for a while. I focused on my breathing in my morning yoga routine, cracked open some of my most trusted books that have guided me in other times of feeling off, made sure to prioritize at least one of my powerful anti-inflammatory spices in every meal and drink. And both get out in nature each day (not for work which it typical for me) and of course start making time to spend in the presence of women who my nervous system trusts.  

Today I would like to invite you to check in on how you are feeling and see if you need to take some extra measures too.  If you are realizing that you also are overdue for an update in your stress management toolbox or that you maybe don’t have a stress management toolbox at all I invite you to start with a few minutes of silence in the morning.  There are many many very helpful books, people and tools well within reach.  If you would like more detailed information on my personal tools feel free to reach out. But here are some of my favorites.

·       Early morning yoga, breathing and meditation on my patio alone before having contact with anyone

·       I have reduced my news consumption

·       Having full blown conversations with our dog Betty (she seems to totally get me)

·       Take a few moments between meetings and commitments to reset my attention and nervous system. I typically close my eyes and take a few breaths to give my body and mind a chance to change gears.

·       Schedule quiet or contemplation time in my back-to-back schedule when I have background stress a busy schedule can feel overwhelming so scheduling time to process helps reduce the feeling of overwhelm

·       Golden milk after dinner while reading a spiritual book in a quiet space

·       Include calming aromas in my evening routine and at multiple times each day drinking adaptogenic teas

·       Try to acknowledge what ever my feelings are and offer up additional positive or hopeful or gratitude thoughts or prayers.

·       Be careful to nourish my body with non-inflammatory foods and get enough movement each day