How to manage stress?

Stress is experienced when there is an imbalance between the demands being made on us and our resources or ability to cope with those demands.

The level and extent of stress a person may feel depends a great deal on their attitude to a particular situation. An event which may be extremely stressful for one person, may not be for another person, we are all different and cope differently.

Stress is everywhere and so many of us get stressed, which is why I am writing this post to hopefully help someone get tips on how to manage stress.

A variety of factors can contribute to a person feeling stressed. This may include:  environment, lifestyle or emotional and personal style issues. An individual person’s attitude, personality and approach to life will influence how they respond to stress.

The following factors all play a part:

• How a person thinks about a problem
• The different ways a person copes with difficult situations
• Life experiences and life history
• A person’s self-esteem
• Whether they have people around who can provide support.

Here are some tips on how to manage stress:

Exercise regularly – regular exercise is a great way to manage stress.  At least 30 minutes of exercise three times a week.

Avoid conflict – avoid situations that make you feel stressed as much as you can.
Relax – make sure you give yourself some time to relax each day and try to spend time with people who make you feel good about yourself.
Eat well – a nutritious diet is important. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Sleep – getting a good nights sleep is important, at least 8 hours sleep.
Enjoy your life – it’s important to make time to have some fun and to get a balance in your life.

If you dont rethink what is stressing you out and manage it, it can lead to anxiety and depression. I hope we can all take some time out to ensure we don't get stressed!

How do you manage your stress?

Do you get enough sleep?

In the last few weeks I haven't had much sleep. I'm too busy to sleep!  I get most things done in the evenings and most nights end up going to bed after midnight. I know its not good for my body, because I feel fatigued, the next day and dont have much energy.

Sleep gives the brain a chance to reorganize information to find answers to problems, to process new information, and to organize and archive memories.  Sleep is such an important bodily function, and even though we might put off going to sleep, eventually sleep will take over, as I have discovered! 

Sleep has a healing effect in that it gives our bodies and minds time to rejuvenate, reenergize, and restore. Sleep is a type of unconsciousness and is a state of being unaware of the world. How much sleep should a person get each night? Depends. Some people need a great deal of sleep, while others require only a minimum of sleep. We need to get the amount of sleep necessary to feel alert, healthy, and  fit. The average person maintains his health with about eight hours of sleep. Having dreams while you are sleeping  is actually good for your health too.

Not enough sleep can cause a drop in performance, lack of concentration, lapses in memory, accidents and injuries, behavior and mood problems.

The benefits of sleep are that sleep helps to repair your body, keep your heart healthy, keeps your skin looking refreshed, reduces stress, improves your memory, can help you to control your body weight.

Sleep is essential to good health as it refreshes the body and the mind. If you get enough sleep regularly every night you will feel and also be able to work better.


Do you get enough sleep?

Exercising a little every day

This is my first blog and I wanted to start by talking about exercising. I know what your thinking, 'Oh no exercising, who can be bothered'. BUT it is so good for you. I wont go on about the health benefits because everyone knows already. Its just that it really is good to find the time to do even a little bit of exercise.

For me its walking - I love to walk in the fresh air, taking in the beautiful surroundings, looking at the trees, clouds, sky and of course things you pass by - like the dog running down the street.

I have committed to myself to try and walk for at least 20mins - 3 days a week.

I started last week and I must say the first day I started walking 5 mins into it, my calves were hurting and I was a little out of breathe. But I perserved and told myself ' I can do this', 'I need to do this', 'Its good for me' - so I did and I tell you what at the end of my walk, I felt so much more energetic and my muscles were relaxed.

So I would like to encourage each and everyone of you, find the time to do some exercise - no matter when or what you do as long as you are moving - your body will benefit from it.

I hope I have inspired and helped you to do some exercise.

Do you do any exercise? Let me know what you do and leave a comment!