Curbing Those Stress Levels: Start Healing at Home
Stress has become a quiet pandemic in today’s world. It creeps into our homes and relationships. As a paramedic and critical care nurse, I’ve seen what happens when people neglect their own wellness. It’s one of the main reasons I wrote “Slow Down, Turbo!”—to remind myself and others that healing and stress management begin from within.
As caregivers—mothers, fathers, siblings, friends, and grandparents—we can easily neglect ourselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually in order to help and nurture people we love. It’s called “compassion fatigue.” At home, it surfaces as exhaustion, irritability, and a hollow feeling we can sometimes get when our emotional and mental tank feels empty.
Remember this—it’s NOT selfish to refill your tank—it’s ESSENTIAL! Here are some tips:
Stretch! At the beginning of your day, take 10-15 minutes to just stretch! Stretching is amazing, as it loosens up your muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Breathe! While stretching, it’s so important to breathe slowly and deeply during your slow and deliberate movements. When you move into a stretch, exhale into it.
The stretching and breath work for 10-15 minutes (time it) will make you feel amazing and get your body prepared for the day! If you miss a day, don’t worry about it. Just slide it in another interval during the day.
Use Your Body! During your stretching and breathwork in that 10-15 minutes, add in a 30-45 second plank or two. (you’ll feel the difference.)
Create a Sanctuary Space! Your don’t have to go anywhere for this. Utilize a quiet place in your home or outside… Even a short walk around the block with your dog is fantastic! Use this time to be quiet; silence is a way to get back in touch with your inner self.
Adaptive Thinking! Stress often stems from how we process or interpret events that are happening in our personal life or in the world. Adaptive thinking means asking, “Is there another way to see this?” or “What else could this be?”
Remember….
When you begin to take care of yourself—mind, body, and spirit—you don’t just feel better; others around you begin to feel it too. You don’t need a dramatic breakdown or something awful to happen in order to earn rest.
Wellness isn’t a reward for surviving the week; it’s the foundation that allows you to keep showing up and being your best version of you. The world NEEDS the healthiest, calmest, and most compassionate version of you!
Shelly
Author of “Slow Down, Turbo!”
