Last Saturday, I gathered with a group of women at Eclection in downtown K’Vegas to talk about stress.
Enough talk about stress. Time to help relieve some of this stress without feeling stressed about it.
#1 – Awareness of your stress level is key.
Stress has a fast tempo. Assess your internal (speed of heart rate, breath, thoughts) and external (speed of walking, talking, eating, doing) tempo.
Many women only know if their stress is above the crazy train threshold or at the collapse threshold (click on image below).
It is imperative to stay within the safe boundaries of the crazy train and collapse threshold to not over exert yourself.
Make a practice to gain awareness of your tempo 3 times a day. Before meals, before getting in your car, before turning on the computer, at stop lights – whatever works for you.
Now that you have tempo awareness, adjust your tempo to stay within the safe stress zone.
There are lots of ways to adjust your tempo. Which leads me to:
#2 – More oxytocin.
Oxytocin is the love and connection hormone. It has a slow tempo. It has a sustained tempo.
Do things that boost your oxytocin (click on image above to view options).
Snuggle with your pet. Daydream about making the sweet love. Receive physical touch. Connect.
#3 – Mindful Breathing
I find it helpful to meet stress where it is with various breathing practices.
For example, if I am close to the crazy train threshold, if I completely stop and ‘try to relax’ I become more agitated.
Click the chart above for breathing practices. My one add is if you are mega stressed, move your arms up and down with the 30 second breath cycle.
In the meantime, try my 10 minute Mindful Breath Video:
What was the most significant awareness you gained from this post?
What is one way you will use that awareness this week?
Leave a comment and let me know. I love hearing from you!
In the Safety Zone,
Angela
