Stress is a major factor I have found for some of the unhealthy things that happen in life. I have come to realize that stress effects me in many ways.
First, I have serious problems sleeping when I am stressed. I have had times where several times a week, I can not get to sleep or wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep. I then spent hours tossing and turning trying not to disturb my husband. The next day after a bad night, I have noticed, that I have very little energy, my mood is negative, and things get on my nerves easily.
Second, for me, stress has the effect of craving foods. None of my cravings are very healthy! I am about 40 lbs over my "best" weight according to the doctor, my cholesterol is up, as is my sugar. I have tried to loss weight for years, but have usually ended up giving into cravings. This has been a serious cycle for me, over the years I have created the habit of eating to calm my nerves, when upset, or when I feel down.
Thirdly, stress also creates a desire for me to shop. That can be an expensive habit. I know I don't need or want things, but sometimes I have the urge to go out and hang out at a mall or store. Then I find something that looks cute or fun and I buy it. Worse is going on line, as I don't even have to leave the house and they deliver it to me. As I sort through things I really don't want, I find it sad that the money I have spent on things i truly don't want.
I have been luck so far, that I have not had major problems from my stress habit, beyond causing more stress and depressed. Which is bad enough, but so far not damaged beyond repair my health.
I have given these examples of how stress and "blue" moods effect me, because I think that stress is underestimated and can for habit that damage us, if we do not learn to manage stress.
I am still researching sleep helps and hoping that as I get better at recognizing and managing my stress that I will have less trouble sleeping.
The other two things are easier and harder for me to manage. I have gotten to know how to eat right and can even tell when I am craving things is not hunger. I am getting better on the shopping also. I still feel the desire to shop, but most of the times I am able to stop and try to figure out why i have this urge if I don't really need or want anything.
Stress can come in many forms and causes: work can cause stress, relationship can cause stress, managing time or money can cause stress, for me the most stress in my life comes from me. I think this may be true for most people. I still worry about if I am doing what I supposed to do (whatever that is!), what people think of me, and if I am good enough. Talking with some other people I find that these can be common stressors.
Now here is how I am working on my problems with stress and tension:
First I have a good talking to myself each day, so I can remember that I am being the best person I can be and that I am a good person.
Second, if I feel my tension level going up, I try to take at least a minute to deep breathing and to relax.
Third, I read an article that claiming if you smile your brain will help you by releasing endorphins that make you happy.
Fourth, I have a place to write down my feelings, so I can look at them and see if I can figure out what is stressing me.
Fifth, sometimes I just have to talk out loud to hear myself, but I don't want to let stress and tension (anger) hurt other. For a long time I would just go in my room and cry. I felt so alone and as if no-one cared about me, just what I did for them. Now, I know with my logical mind this was not true, but emotion are not alway logical. If I talked to a person, sometimes i said things that I didn't really mean to hurt, but they did. So now, when I have to talk it out, I talk to a group of stuffed animals. We don't have any real animals, but if you have one that's can be even better if they can be loving and cuddly and you can feel as if they are only there for you. But stuffed animal or real, you can talk out your feeling and let it go of some of the tension, they don't judge you and you really hurt feeling this way. This can work for me.
Six is one I am just starting and that is meditating. As I am a bit of a multi-tasker, calming my mind for very long is hard, but I keep working on focusing on only the thing I am doing. I am hopeful that the more I do it the better.
Seven is getting out into nature. This is not one I use as much, but Dale swears by it. He says it helps him feel happier.
Eight and final for today, is replacing habit that are not good for you with ones that are. This is another one I am trying and struggling with. Exercise is said to be a great stress reliever, but I have a had time getting going. I am working on the adult coloring books and staying present in what I am doing so I don't mindlessly shop or eat. Reading is one I can use to help me change my focus most of the time, but I still have to watch so I am staying present when around food and just not mindlessly snacking.
Good luck and remember, usually no-one is harder on you than you. Give yourself a break.
First, I have serious problems sleeping when I am stressed. I have had times where several times a week, I can not get to sleep or wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep. I then spent hours tossing and turning trying not to disturb my husband. The next day after a bad night, I have noticed, that I have very little energy, my mood is negative, and things get on my nerves easily.
Second, for me, stress has the effect of craving foods. None of my cravings are very healthy! I am about 40 lbs over my "best" weight according to the doctor, my cholesterol is up, as is my sugar. I have tried to loss weight for years, but have usually ended up giving into cravings. This has been a serious cycle for me, over the years I have created the habit of eating to calm my nerves, when upset, or when I feel down.
Thirdly, stress also creates a desire for me to shop. That can be an expensive habit. I know I don't need or want things, but sometimes I have the urge to go out and hang out at a mall or store. Then I find something that looks cute or fun and I buy it. Worse is going on line, as I don't even have to leave the house and they deliver it to me. As I sort through things I really don't want, I find it sad that the money I have spent on things i truly don't want.
I have been luck so far, that I have not had major problems from my stress habit, beyond causing more stress and depressed. Which is bad enough, but so far not damaged beyond repair my health.
I have given these examples of how stress and "blue" moods effect me, because I think that stress is underestimated and can for habit that damage us, if we do not learn to manage stress.
I am still researching sleep helps and hoping that as I get better at recognizing and managing my stress that I will have less trouble sleeping.
The other two things are easier and harder for me to manage. I have gotten to know how to eat right and can even tell when I am craving things is not hunger. I am getting better on the shopping also. I still feel the desire to shop, but most of the times I am able to stop and try to figure out why i have this urge if I don't really need or want anything.
Stress can come in many forms and causes: work can cause stress, relationship can cause stress, managing time or money can cause stress, for me the most stress in my life comes from me. I think this may be true for most people. I still worry about if I am doing what I supposed to do (whatever that is!), what people think of me, and if I am good enough. Talking with some other people I find that these can be common stressors.
Now here is how I am working on my problems with stress and tension:
First I have a good talking to myself each day, so I can remember that I am being the best person I can be and that I am a good person.
Second, if I feel my tension level going up, I try to take at least a minute to deep breathing and to relax.
Third, I read an article that claiming if you smile your brain will help you by releasing endorphins that make you happy.
Fourth, I have a place to write down my feelings, so I can look at them and see if I can figure out what is stressing me.
Fifth, sometimes I just have to talk out loud to hear myself, but I don't want to let stress and tension (anger) hurt other. For a long time I would just go in my room and cry. I felt so alone and as if no-one cared about me, just what I did for them. Now, I know with my logical mind this was not true, but emotion are not alway logical. If I talked to a person, sometimes i said things that I didn't really mean to hurt, but they did. So now, when I have to talk it out, I talk to a group of stuffed animals. We don't have any real animals, but if you have one that's can be even better if they can be loving and cuddly and you can feel as if they are only there for you. But stuffed animal or real, you can talk out your feeling and let it go of some of the tension, they don't judge you and you really hurt feeling this way. This can work for me.
Six is one I am just starting and that is meditating. As I am a bit of a multi-tasker, calming my mind for very long is hard, but I keep working on focusing on only the thing I am doing. I am hopeful that the more I do it the better.
Seven is getting out into nature. This is not one I use as much, but Dale swears by it. He says it helps him feel happier.
Eight and final for today, is replacing habit that are not good for you with ones that are. This is another one I am trying and struggling with. Exercise is said to be a great stress reliever, but I have a had time getting going. I am working on the adult coloring books and staying present in what I am doing so I don't mindlessly shop or eat. Reading is one I can use to help me change my focus most of the time, but I still have to watch so I am staying present when around food and just not mindlessly snacking.
Good luck and remember, usually no-one is harder on you than you. Give yourself a break.
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