""If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it."
- William Arthur Ward
In light of all the is going on in the world, especially the crisis in Japan, our daily stress and anxiety can soar as we watch the news, worry about what has happened and what may occur in the future. It is a time for prayer and compassion indeed; however, allowing stress and anxiety to take over is not helpful to the people suffering and is hurtful to our own health.
Even without the global tragedy, many patients I see on a daily basis have symptoms of anxiety or stress that contribute to their pain, affect their sleep, and their overall feeling of joy and contentment. Stress comes from the external forces in our lives that push our buttons and provoke emotions. Anxiety is more about worry. It is a state of uneasiness caused by apprehension, tension, or fear. Both states of "dis-ease" impact one's life and health.
The good news is there are many natural ways to help relieve stress and anxiety to create balance in body and mind. It takes action on our part, but as someone who has experienced periods of anxiety and peace, I can vouch that putting some energy into creating peace is WORTH the effort.
5 tips I do on a weekly basis to combat stress and anxiety
1. Take time to breathe and be in the present moment
When I experience stress it is usually because I am worrying about something that happened in the past or may happen in the future. One unexpected place I have incorporated present moment breaks is at the gas station while pumping gas. I stop, enjoy the breeze, look up at the sky, let my shoulders relax, and spend that few minutes completely relaxed in the moment.
What places could you incorporate this?
2. Put the pen to paper
Journaling has always been a stress reliever for me; it takes all the mental energy and puts it into something physical. When I get things out I often am gifted a new perspective. If not, I take an extra moment ask if there is something I could learn that I'm missing. Sometimes I have to sleep on it. I know if I can gain that understanding, I can create a different experience.
3. Know your limitations
For me, learning that I can't do everything, be everywhere, and help everyone is a hard pill to swallow. I have to recognize and ask for help when needed. If I don't allow myself to say "no" sometimes, life often makes me slow down in the form of illness or injury.
4. Let go of guilt
If your to-do list is like mine, it will never be completed. I have to make sure some guilt-free relaxation is a top priority or I will never get to it. Choosing to invest my time in activities that create joy and peace and being proactive about my health is much better than having to get sick or hurt before I put myself first.
5. Prioritize and Enjoy
Sometimes I get stuck in overwhelm, with my wheels spinning, and find it difficult to focus. Then I don't get anything done I need to, which compounds my stress the next day. Crossing off at least one priority task per day helps me sleep soundly and wake refreshed.
BONUS TIP: Get some hands-on body work done. Physical touch is very nurturing and healing for humans. Also, being out of proper alignment causes physical stress on the body which contributes to tension, pain and a state of dis-ease. Chiropractic care helps re-align and balance the body while massage helps relax the muscles. These two hands on approaches are a great combination to incorporate into your life for optimal health and well-being.
-Chrissy Stamm-Christian D.C.
