Stress is a constant in my life. Not the kind that interferes with it immensely, but the kind that motivates me to pursue my goals, achieve my achievements, and complete my accomplishments.
Keeping it low level is the ideal.
If I were stress free, then there'd be no motivation to do anything. At least, that's what would happen for me!
It's when stress is allowed to build up and escalate that it then becomes necessary to do something drastic to release it. For some people, releasing that stress via shouting works. For others, punching an item like a bag or going to the gym or doing another fitness activity works. Even writing about it can help release it.
However, doing a regular energetic or mindful activity helps control your overall stress levels and keep them down!
For example, doing qigong exercises daily for at least 15 minutes is very helpful. I came across this early last year during the vast reading binge I had during the first furlough period (due to the covid-19 pandemic) and decided to do the exercises on the below link along with doing plenty of walking in the forest.
Qigong for the elderly- 20 minute routine
Yes, it says elderly in the title! I believe in starting off something slowly, carefully and properly, and this was a lovely video to learn from and follow.
The qigong exercises I followed here are to do with the Eight Pieces of Silk Brocade, and you can read about it from this link here.
Once I had memorised the 8 movements, and was very confident in them, I decided to try doing a more complex and dynamic version. This has narration on the meaning of each movement, and suggestions on how to carry them out.
I liked the information imparted, and found this video better suited for me. The basics are the same- as they would be in other demonstrations of '8 Pieces of Silk Brocade'- so if you want to explore further, feel free to find a version you like on YouTube!
I find the time I invested learning and memorising the 8 movements in order was worth so much, in terms of a calmer persona and my mental and physical health, and I would suggest to anyone to try it out. Even if you don't like it, at least you tried it and know why.
So, I usually like to do them once I wake up, and it helps set me up for the day, in addition to a big breakfast.
I also believe breaking up big goals down into little steps of accomplishment makes them more easily achievable and less stressful. To help understand this better, it's like doing a 5km run. If you think of it as a whole, completing it will seem daunting and might stress you out so much that you decide not to carry on or it might even cause you not to do it!
However, if you break it down into 1km goals, then it becomes more palatable to the brain and thus less stressful.
Anything to help control my stress is helpful. After all, your health is your wealth and if you care for yourself, your body will look after your self!
This is how I can cope with the hospitality industry I work in, and helps avoid burnout. One should do anything to help them keep calm, and I've found my way.
I hope you find yours!
No comments:
Post a Comment