Stress Hack - The Quick Fix

How we think about stress affects our level of stress

When we think about managing stress we often make the mistake of thinking about stress as an event, a response to a situation or interaction. This leads to stress management strategies that are often geared toward situation or response management. It’s natural to approach the problem with a narrow focus, that’s what stress does to our minds.

Don’t get me wrong, finding effective ways to manage stressful situations is very helpful. But… does it actually target the stress? I like to call it a sheepdog manoeuvre. A side-on approach that tries to usher the stress out of our mind by nipping at its heels and worrying at the edges.

And that gives stress power!

Almost like we are afraid to look at it full on and see what’s really there. No, I’m not talking about underlying causal patterns, though that is certainly beneficial. I’m talking about the physical manifestation of stress.

Stress is sort of a sloppy word, really. When people talk about being stressed, they are usually associating the physiological manifestations of stress as a representation of emotion. And while they are linked (isn’t everything?!), they are not the same thing.

So, if we try and treat stress from a starting point of misunderstanding the nature of what we are treating, then we just won’t get brilliant results.

A holistic approach acknowledges that life events are outside our control.. Stuff happens, it’s always happened and it always will. Learning ways to manage situational triggers is one aspect that is a helpful life skill. Learning to accept and regulate our emotions incorporates life skills and mental well-being, so a definite win-win! While they are great strategies that have their place, there is a quicker more effective way to alter your relationship with stress.

Stress is a lifestyle

Overwhelm…

Obviously, I don’t mean that you are consciously choosing to be stressed.

It is the way our bodies respond to the overall levels of relaxation, comfort and safety you experience throughout your day. And that’s the key, don’t wait for the trigger, treat stress before it happens and when it does (because, as a primal survival strategy, it will, no matter what you do) the experience won’t be unbearable, draining or debilitating.

So how do you do that?

Take that break!

It really is as simple as layering moments of relaxation throughout your day.

Set an alert and do a quick top to toe muscle relaxation.

Take a few cleansing breaths and imagine a wave washing away all thoughts and emotions, whatever imagery works for you.

The important thing is to stick with it. Be diligent. And rate your days, a simple 0-10 scale from super stressed to light and breezy. Its amazing how often we ignore the wins, so take notes!

Feel It!

Do one thing a week that makes you smile, deep down to your core.

Something that is just for you.

Find that thing that takes you back to a happy moment as a child. It doesn’t have to be complicated or last very long, but you do have to be open to going with it, because chronic stress can disconnect us from our feelings and create a self-sustaining cycle.

So take that wisp of memory and lean in!

Tap into the intensity of a happy childhood memory