Learn to Relax

What is stress?

"Stress is the body's reaction to harmful situations ... whether they’re real or perceived. When you feel threatened, a chemical reaction occurs in your body that allows you to act in a way to prevent injury. This reaction is known as "fight-or-flight,” or the stress response. During stress response, your heart rate increases, breathing quickens, muscles tighten, and blood pressure rises. You’ve gotten ready to act. It is how you protect yourself." ~ WebMD

Each of us experiences stress in a completely personal way and exhibits the signs and symptoms of stress in a unique fashion. No matter how stressed you are, it is highly unlikely that you will be obviously revealing all the emotional, physical, and behavioral symptoms of stress. Most people tend to show patterns of symptoms according to how badly stressed they actually are. Learning to recognize your personal early signs of stress, and taking effective steps at that point to cultivate a relaxation response within yourself, can support you in avoiding heading down the path of creating more severe symptoms later on.

The following are possible stress related symptoms that you can experience according to WebMD:

Emotional symptoms of stress include:

• Becoming easily agitated, frustrated, and moody
• Feeling overwhelmed, like you are losing control or need to take control
• Having difficulty relaxing and quieting your mind
• Feeling bad about yourself (low self-esteem), lonely, worthless, and depressed
• Avoiding others

Physical symptoms of stress include:

• Low energy
• Headaches
• Upset stomach, including diarrhea, constipation, and nausea
• Aches, pains, and tense muscles
• Chest pain and rapid heartbeat
• Insomnia
• Frequent colds and infections
• Loss of sexual desire and/or ability
• Nervousness and shaking, ringing in the ear, cold or sweaty hands and feet
• Dry mouth and difficulty swallowing
• Clenched jaw and grinding teeth

Cognitive symptoms of stress include:

• Constant worrying
• Racing thoughts
• Forgetfulness and disorganization
• Inability to focus
• Poor judgment
• Being pessimistic or seeing only the negative side

Behavioral symptoms of stress include:

• Changes in appetite -- either not eating or eating too much
• Procrastinating and avoiding responsibilities
• Increased use of alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes
• Exhibiting more nervous behaviors, such as nail biting, fidgeting, and pacing​

There are steps you can take that can help you to reduce stress, change your response to it, or regain a sense of control in your life. Finding effective outlets for your anxiety and frustration needs to be considered by each individual. Make time to think about and the personal activities that excite you, increase peace of mind, and manifest joy in your life. Whatever you choose, it needs to be something that you are going to really enjoy and doesn't feel like a punishment to yourself.

The following are some simple ideas to inspire you:

• Energy Therapy
• Massage
• Spiritual Life Coaching 
• Exercise
• Healing Breathwork
• Meditation
• Journaling
• Aromatherapy
• Reflexology
• Change your eating habits
• Develop a support network 

As you can see, there are many solutions to managing your stress. I encourage you to pick one of the above that you are drawn to and begin that healing journey for yourself.

Please feel free to contact me at info@MichelleMullady.com if you would like to schedule an appointment at this time. 

Peacefully,
Michelle Mullady

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