There is stress in your email inbox, on the roads, in your family and in your bank account. You feel it all.
In fact, here’s something shocking…
Nearly two-thirds of Americans are experiencing moderate to high levels of stress right now.
You can do something about it. A skilled Denver therapist can help. You don’t need to keep plugging away in hope it gets better. Professional support can help you manage your stress level.
What will we cover?
- Why stress is an epidemic
- The top daily stress-busting habits
- How small changes can have massive impact
- When to seek professional help
Why Stress Is An Epidemic
Stress. It’s becoming more of a problem with each passing year.
But what is causing this? There are a million different reasons people feel stressed.
Pressure at work, financial concerns, family life, problems with our health, anxiety about the future…there are a million things to stress over. And we pick most of them.
It starts small.
We feel a little restless, have some physical tension, or have trouble sleeping. It doesn’t seem like a big deal so we ignore it or bury ourselves in distractions.
Until the small stuff builds into a constant rumble in the background. We learn to live with it and we try to deal with it the best way we know how.
For some people, that might be healthy. Eating well, exercising, spending time with family. Being proactive about our stress.
For others, that means ignoring it or numbing ourselves with distractions, alcohol, sugar, social media, shopping or whatever works in the moment.
Then stress becomes the background noise we don’t even think about anymore. It’s just part of our lives. We learn to accept it as part of who we are.
“It’s just how I am…”
“It’s just the way life is right now.”
“I don’t know how to do any different.”
We don’t even realize how much stress is weighing us down and holding us back. Until it’s so heavy that it starts to effect our relationships, our work, our ability to focus or our mental health.
And when we start to hit those walls, it’s time for something different. It’s time to break the cycle and turn down the volume.
The average person is about five times more likely to feel “successful” in reducing stress if they see it as a temporary challenge than if they believe stress has an impact on their personality or if they feel stress is out of their control.
So first things first. If you feel the need to reduce stress in your life, that is a good first step. It’s an admission that the stress level is not sustainable or healthy.
Recognize that you are not alone.
Over half the population is feeling moderately stressed right now, and most of us don’t know how to lower stress level.
You can do it though. There are practical things we can do to reduce stress, both in the long and short term.
If you’re at the point where stress is negatively effecting your work, health or happiness, it’s time to do something about it.
The Top Daily Stress-Busting Habits
Move More
Move in whatever way works for you. Don’t worry about going to the gym or running marathons. Just 20 to 30 minutes of daily movement can work wonders.
If you’re constantly at a computer or desk, a short walk each morning or during your lunch break can be amazing. You can do it at your desk, go outside or even walk in place.
Stretch, yoga, exercise, dance…whatever makes you move is good.
Sleep
Your body needs time to rest. You also need to give your brain and your body time to recover from the daily stressors we all experience.
If you’re constantly awake late at night because your mind is racing or waking up early because you can’t get enough sleep, you need to do something different.
Practice mindfulness
It’s not something new or trendy or woo-woo. It’s an ancient practice of staying present and focused in the current moment. Being aware of your body, mind, and surroundings.
In a study published in Psychiatry Research, 124 people completed an eight-week mindfulness-based stress reduction course. Their stress was reduced by 14% after just 10 days and further reduced after three weeks of practice.
The effects of this small amount of mindfulness practice were the equivalent of about 10 years of aging. Basically, ten years less stress.
That’s a pretty good return on investment for five minutes of deep breathing or paying attention to what you are doing.
Add activities that make you lose track of time
Cooking, gardening, painting, photography, singing, writing…whatever hobby sucks you into the moment and makes you forget time is passing.
These are important for your mental health. Yes, even in a busy life you need time to step away from the daily grind. Schedule it into your calendar.
Connect with others
Face-to-face connection, not social media or texting. Talk to people.
Friends, family, people at work, even just striking up a conversation with a stranger.
The health benefits of real, in-person contact are backed by science. You don’t have to spend all day with people, but social interaction is an important part of being human.
When To Seek Professional Help
Work with a therapist
If you feel overwhelmed by stress and are ready to do something about it, a therapist in Denver can help.
Look for a psychologist or therapist in your area, and book an introductory session to get started. If you are working with a therapist in Denver, seek the help of a Local Therapist In Denver.
A therapist can help you identify your main stressors, set goals, implement practical strategies and work with you to make sustainable changes.
This can be one of the most important steps in dealing with stress. We all need a hand now and then, and having a therapist on your team can speed up the process and help you achieve results.
If you know someone who could benefit from working with a therapist, share this post with them. Stress is one of the most common mental health concerns for adults in the United States.
Let’s help people get the support they need to manage their stress.
How Small Changes Can Have Massive Impact
Let’s Do This
Take one small action today from the stress reduction section above and put it into practice.
One small change at a time is the best way to make sustainable lifestyle changes.
Expect small, regular improvements over time. Not radical shifts or overnight results.
Choose 2 to 3 of the methods above that are most practical and will help you the most. Put a plan in place and implement.
Track your progress. After two weeks, see how you feel. Measure your stress level against where you were two weeks ago.
When it feels automatic, implement the next step.
Continue to take small steps. They will compound into massive results over time.
You can lower your stress level and take back your life.
Final Thoughts
Stress will never magically go away. There will always be things to stress about. If we don’t change something, we can easily find more things to worry about.
It’s an important step to recognize stress is an issue.
You can do something about stress. There are things you can do in the short and long term to lower your stress level and live a more balanced life.
Start small, and remember it’s about progress, not perfection. Let’s do this.
The owners and authors of Cinnamon Hollow are not doctors and this is in no way intended to be used as medical advice. We cannot be held responsible for your results. As with any product, service or supplement, use at your own risk. Always do your own research and consult with your personal physician before using.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.
