Aiming for a stress free life in itself, can prove to be…well quite stressful!
I count myself lucky that I have a relatively stress free job, one which I am very passionate about and I get to hang out with inspiring clients on a day to day basis. However life is chaotic and does throw in rather a few plot twists and my own personal reaction to these curve balls is to become stressed and anxious – and you know what, I am ok with that!
I have realised that I am not alone, and suffering from anxiety and stress is not a bad thing. It’s how we choose to deal with it. Recently I have been suffering from a spate of anxiety in the morning, rather than let it spill over into the rest of the day, I turned it on its head and took the steps to understand why I was feeling anxious in the morning.
On awakening, our bodies produce a hormone call cortisol, which is released when it’s time to wake up. Cortisol is also released in our bodies as a response to stress. I have now charged my morning anxiety with a burst of positive thinking and acceptance, telling myself, ‘This is just my body’s natural response to waking up and releasing a burst of cortisol.’
Here are my top 5 simple tips to accept your own stress and anxiety
1) Go for a walk, allow yourself the first 5 minutes of the walk to worry and then bring your focus to the present. Notice your surroundings, listen to the sound of your footsteps, inhale deeply and smell the air.
2) Keep an excitement/ gratitude journal
It doesn’t need to be a long winded affair, just a sentence morning and night. Set your intention for the day and write one sentence after waking up outlining what you are excited about/ looking forward to. Keep it simple, something as exciting as looking forward to Blondilox’s new Winter blend porridge for breakfast. Or looking forward to reading my new book later.
Before bed write one sentence that outlines what you are grateful for from the day. For example, grateful for seeing my barre buddies shake and quake at the barre this evening with me.
As you drift off to sleep keep these two sentences in your mind.
3) Shake it off
Anxiety and stress means we spend a lot of time, overthinking. Well, I know I do! Step away from what you are doing/thinking, put some banging tunes on and have a dance around the kitchen, try our AUTUMN PLAYLIST. Let your body move, open up your chest and stretch out your arms.
4) Breathe
After waking up and reminding yourself about your body releasing some cortisol, take 2 minutes to focus on your breathing. Inhale for 3 counts, exhale for 5. Let the inhale expand your rib cage and fill your lungs rather than lift your chest and as your exhale let your ribs draw across and down.
Bookend your day with 2 minutes breathing focus in the morning and 2 minutes before you go to sleep.
5) Sprinkle some sparkle into you everyday
It doesn’t necessarily have to be throwing glitter around, that does help though. Put your phone down, let your shoulders relax away from your ears, look up and connect with the world around you. What can you see, or what do you notice. For me enjoying a good old catch up with friends over a coffee or hot chocolate with my phone on silent adds sparkle to my day.
As you nod off to sleep, say to your lovely self, “I am loved, I am supported.” You really are and have helped to build a wonderful community at The View Studio.
