Lessons from stress
Stress seems to be the hot topic more and more as our society sucks us in and out of problems, situations and everything in between. Question is…what are you doing to manage your stress?
Even this week’s TIME magazine has a title on the cover for “6 Lessons for Handling Stress”
Starting on page 80 listed are 6 lessons. I decided to write my own responses/explanations for the 6 lessons.
No 1. Remember to Breathe
Breathing is often times the hardest part of everyday stress management . This is why the breath is so important in massage sessions–it helps release tension from muscles and our bodies. Breath is also the integral component to yoga, weight training/lifting and any other activity…or right that’s LIFE!
Often times we mismanage stress by NOT BREATHING and skipping all the activities that make us feel better and de-stress us like exercise (you have to breathe when you exercise!), eating properly, and spending relaxing time with family & friends.
No 2. Stress Alters Your Blood Chemistry
We’ve all heard about the Cortisol hormone but may not understand its role in stress management. Cortisol is your body’s natural on/off switch to stress. Generally cortisol levels rise and fall reaching a peak in the early morning and leveling off throughout the day. Cortisol levels don’t go down for those who are under constant stress–it’s as if the body hasn’t shut off the stress response and is under fight & flight mode all day–not very healthy!
No 3. You Can’t Avoid Stress
Some people “run on stress”. As I mentioned above their brain has not sent the body the signal to “shut off” So as much as we think we are avoiding stress it is built into our systems already–so what are you doing to help your body naturally “shut off”?
No 4. Stress can age you before your time
Just from the lack of sleep one may experience from stress will age you! Improper eating and lifestyle habits are part of stress management. If non are in place your body and face is a tell tale sign! WOW the Time article says that stressed out moms are anywhere from 9 to 17 years older than their chronological age!
No 5. Stress is not an equal opportunity employer
As much as stress effects everybody some experience more than others depending on their chemical make up, genetics and environmental factors.
No 6. There’s more than one way to relieve stress
HOORAY! Thank goodness pple like TaoMassage exist 
1 Remember to breathe deeply
2 Take a vacation
3 Make Friends
4 Exercise regularly
5 Eat plenty of fruits and vegetable (organic preferred!)
6 Don’t stay up late
7 Do what you love