How to Manage Lifestyle Changes

Managing Stress & Anxiety

Stress is your body's reaction to life changes and events, both good and bad. When you are faced with something exciting or potentially dangerous, your body responds by preparing to fight or run away. This response, called the fight-or-flight response, is a normal response to stress. When your brain starts this response, It tells your body to move the blood faster and to prepare for the demands of the expected challenge. A few examples of life changes that I have personally experienced that with out a doubt have caused me stress and anxiety are, planning a wedding, buying a home in this god awful housing market at the moment, a career change to someone close to me, and a family member moving to a different city. Those are just my few.

Stress can last a few hours but usually goes away after the triggering event ends. If the effects last a long time, or if you are worrying a lot about things you cannot control (guilty), It is likely that your stress has led to anxiety. Although stress can play a major role in anxiety, It is not the same as anxiety.

Anxiety is more complicated to manage and often requires special forms of treatment. Stress does play a role in causing anxiety, therefore, It is important to learn how to manage your stress more effectively. It will take time and practice but stick to It, you know you can do this.

Yoga

Don't knock It till you try It. Yoga poses can lower tension and promote relaxation. Give hot yoga a try, It's an incredible experience.

Music Therapy

You cannot tell me you haven't been in your car driving to where ever you're going and blasting your favorite songs singing as loud as you want. Try creating a playlist of up-beat, inspiring songs and jam the F out.

"Music is therapy. Music moves people. It connects people in ways that no other medium can. It pulls heart strings. It acts as medicine". - Macklemore

Eat Healthy

Eat clean, feel amazing! Include plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean protein to your diet. Remove foods that are high in solid fats, added sugars or salt from your diet.

Get Enough Exercise

Find activities that you enjoy like taking a walk, or playing a sport. Exercising does not have to mean getting a gym membership and spending an hour lifting weights. Just as simple as being active like taking the steps instead of the elevator or park further away from the store to take more steps.

Get the Right Amount and Quality of Sleep

Most individuals need roughly 8 hours of sleep. If you have to wake up early, don't stay up late scrolling on your phone (also guilty). Sleep is more important than you think.

Make Choices that Simplify your life!

Remember, your'e not alone. You have me in your corner cheering you on.