How many times in the last month have you said to yourself or to others, “I’m stressed”? Stress is inherently viewed as “bad” and diminishing to our health. However, there is some good that can come from stress, depending on how much you are experiencing and your tolerance to it.
Not enough stress in our lives can cause us to become bored, unmotivated and lethargic. However, too much stress (aka chronic stress) can result in anxiety, panic, sleep deprivation, overwhelming emotions, and more. Finding that “sweet spot” of stress somewhere in the middle of the “too little vs. too much” scale can leave you feeling motivated, energetic, engaged, focused, happy and balanced.
It is also important to note that everyone tolerates stress differently. A busy schedule of work plus home cooking and extra-curricular activities can be manageable for one person while seeming like too much to handle for another.
Searching for a sense of relaxation amidst the chaos can help manage daily stressors and get you closer to the “sweet spot”. So what are some ways you can find balance?
-Go for a walk
-Spend time with a friend
-Listen to your favourite music
-Laugh
-Hug a loved one or pet
-Deep breaths or meditation
-Practice a new/old hobby (for example, cooking/baking, drawing, biking, playing guitar, knitting, etc.)
-Relax with a cup of tea
-Unplug from technology
