Mindfulness Lifestyle Coaching
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Most effective self-care exercises to end stress and lower cortisol.
It always happens when I believe I cannot bear another stressful event, another burden comes along. Stress compounds over a long period of time, and someday it may feel like smashing into a wall. Then I will continue to drag my deflated self further until my body says no.
The problem is the mind can motivate the bodies past its physical capacities. Stress will compound if its not relieved daily. I Continued to grind and take on stressful draining tasks, and not understanding the consequences over time. My Inability to prioritize what is important and set healthy boundaries to my capacity. The chances of reaching burnout increase, especially for overachievers striving for the next promotion. Is the problem I feel invincible, and cannot gauge my capacity?
Hold your ground and keep your happiness
I understand how the concept of letting go is nearly impossible. Attachment and grasping is how I feel I`m not losing in life. The more things I can do and hold the better off I will be. This would go against a minimalist mentality where less is more.
Some aspects of life are crucial, while others are just an illusion that I think I need. I try to determine what will give me a quality experience for the time and stress involved. Saying no to what is not aligned with my goals and will not bring me happiness.
I like to have space in life for spontaneity or if I need to rest and relax. A schedule without self care slotted in will be a recipe for burnout disaster.
Develop a crucial Self Care Practice
is the object of reducing stress to eliminate the stress or become more accepting of the stress? Is stress the fault of our external environment? Or is stress the fault of what is going on internally in our mind. Or is it a combination of both? I reduce stress by practicing acceptance of stresses that I cannot change in my life. Having weak boundaries and taking on responsibilities I dont have the capacity for. The body has a barometer of how much stress I can undergo.
To repair the body I do the following self care practices.
mindfulness.
2. hot/cold water submersions.
3. healthy diet.
4.cardiovascular activity.
5.participating in activities that bring me joy and happiness.
I avoid blaming another person I'm in relation with, as the cause of my stress. Beginning a wellness self care practice comes first.If I'm feeling very stressed, then I can reevaluate the self care practice. I aim for a self care practice with the most quality for the amount of time I have. If the practice is not a daily practice, then I work on bringing more consistency to my self-care practice.
How to prioritize what's important
If my self care practice is satisfactory, and my stress is still unmanageable. I look at some of the external factors. Start by eliminating small stresses that are not essential in life. Contemplate which stressors to remove. After a month see if there's improvement in stress levels. The biggest challenge in managing stress is when to let go of external responsibilities and relationships. These usually have a hierarchy ranging from;
marriage.
children.
work.
financial.
Feeling suppressed by another.
Stress Proof Mindset
Mindset will also play a role and how aware of stress I am, and how Im reacting to stress. Slowing down the reactivity will greatly reduce stress. Accomplish this with a simple mindfulness practice. A mindfulness practice of sitting and completely desensitizing to external stimulus will automatically bring a stress reducing effect. Regardless of how wandering the mind becomes during the mindfulness practice.
I ask if am reacting in a survival instinctual way or, a very self-centered way. Am I constantly feeling offended, and how offensive is the situation? can I practice letting these offenses go. Conflict and being that person that is constantly disagreeable with others. Will only bring me further stress.
When discussing how much stress the body can tolerate? The mind can sabotage and block us from stressful conditions. If I want to accomplish some great feat then working with the mind, and my blind spots will allow me to build more resilience and determination. Mindfulness will also slow down the reactions to being overstimulated. The brain becomes overwhelmed when its reacting to so much stimulus. By developing a mindfulness practice, Im able to completely consciously control my attention. Choose which senses I want to use, and what sensory material and stimulus I want to take in.
Jarret Brooks
Lifestyle Coach, MBSR, PTA