Build Resilience to Stress
STRESS RESILIENCY IS COMPROMISED WHEN WE ARE CONTINUALLY ASKING OURSELVES TO DO MORE WITH LESS
STRESS RESILIENCY IS COMPROMISED WHEN WE ARE CONTINUALLY ASKING OURSELVES TO DO MORE WITH LESS
WHETHER WE FEEL STRESSED OR NOT, MOST OF US ARE PLACING VARIOUS DEMANDS ON OURSELVES THAT ARE AFFECTING OUR STRESS RESILIENCY.
We may have demanding careers and also our families that we need to take care of on a daily basis. And then, add this to the general worries for the future, global landscape and the continued healing from our past. Stress resiliency is not based on just mental or physical stress, but all the things we do on a regular basis that add up, one on top of the other without adequate rest and/or fuel in between.
Stress resiliency is measured by our ability to easily toggle between the parasympathetic nervous system (rest/digest) and the sympathetic nervous system (fight/flight). It is our ability to get up and go or react when we need and our ability to come back to a state of rest when the activity has passed. This is also measured by how easily it is to fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. Both parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems are part of our autonomic nervous system, which means they are automatic functions for survival. Our heart continually beating is part of this same system.
Essentially, stress resiliency is compromised when we are continually asking ourselves to do more with less, ultimately causing a dysregulation to our nervous system. This is so often a slow burn. We do not even realize we have been pushing ourselves a little too much until it is too late. Imagine standing on one leg all day. It would not even be noticeable for the first few minutes, but eventually your supporting leg will get increasingly tired and sore, you might start to get a bit cranky because of it, you might snap at someone over something that generally would not bother you. Imagine spending every day like this. This is what happens when stress resiliency is low. We are stuck in our fight/flight system, our whole being feels tightly wound. Digestion, sleep, and our immune system is compromised, and experiences of anxiety and depression are more common. All of these are signs to show us it is time to slow down.
…STRESS RESILIENCY IS COMPROMISED WHEN WE ARE CONTINUALLY ASKING OURSELVES TO DO MORE WITH LESS, ULTIMATELY CAUSING A DISREGULATION TO OUR NERVOUS SYSTEM.
I am sure we all want more balance in our life, but we also need to recognize that life is made up of peaks and valleys, easy and more challenging times, and without building in resources to support you through these times it can have dire effects on your mental wellness. The challenge is that we become so wrapped up in everything we are doing and must do, we do not even know how to make that happen. The light at the end of the tunnel does not even exist. Burnout has already set in and the only thing you know how to do is keep going (survive).
Of course, you want to take a holiday or a day off. You want to run away from your responsibilities or cut down on your responsibilities but that just cannot happen right now. So how are we going to reset the nervous system among all this? Here are some tips:
Have a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise and healthy nutrition are paramount to stay healthy and happy. Exercise is power and a great motivator. Exercise improves your mood by releasing those feel good hormones into your body: endorphins, serotonin. It also reduces stress by reducing cortisol levels, the stress hormone and that helps calm your mind and reduce anxiety. Incorporating regular physical activity into your routine can significantly enhance your stress resiliency and overall quality of life.
Prioritize. Not everything must be done immediately. What are the three things you must do today, rather than trying to follow your never ending “to do list?”
Build in a little self-care. Can you take a hot bath or an extra-long shower occasionally or call (as in speak to, not text) a good friend or family member who always makes you feel good? Play your favourite song or band during your commute.
Stay hydrated, limit caffeine. Are you drinking enough water during your busy days? Maybe this is something you are already good with, but every now and then we do need a check in. Not sure how much is your recommended daily water intake? Check it our here.
