Curated Texan
Certified Life Mastery Coach Stephanie Puente shares her keen insight to create a more stress-free summer. Because, after all, things should lighten up over the summer, shouldn’t they?
For most people, stress and anxiety are common experiences in today’s fast-paced world. The demands of work and family, health worries, and financial responsibilities are all unavoidable aspects of modern life that contribute to these high levels of stress and a decline in mental health.
While our bodies are naturally equipped to handle stress in small doses — chronic stress can negatively affect our mental and physical health. This includes our emotional state, our productivity, and our overall sense of well-being. Therefore, it’s essential to cultivate strategies to help us manage this stress. By incorporating these simple tips into our daily routine, we can reduce stress and anxiety and increase a greater sense of calm, ease, and well-being:
- Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness is being fully present in the moment and can be cultivated through various forms of meditation, visualization, and guided imagery.
Another effective mindfulness technique is breathwork. Taking a few deep breaths while inhaling through the nose and slowly exhaling through the mouth can be a simple yet powerful way to calm your nervous system and ease tension in the mind and body.
The best part is, mindfulness exercises can be done anytime, anywhere — whether you’re taking a walk, stuck in traffic on your way to work, or in the waiting room at a doctor’s appointment.
What’s more, practicing mindfulness has been shown to reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety, promote emotional regulation, and provide valuable relief from the hustle and bustle of daily life. So try meditation, practice intentional breathing, or simply take a few moments to focus on the beauty of nature around you.
“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.”
– Thich Nhat Hanh
2. Get Moving: Moving your body is an amazing way to help reduce stress and anxiety. Physical activity encourages your body to release feel-good hormones which can improve your mood and promote feelings of happiness.
Regular exercise can also provide you with a sense of accomplishment and increased feelings of control over your life.
Going for a hike, lifting weights, gardening, and attending your favorite spin class are just a few different ways you can get your body moving. You don’t need to perform intense workouts or follow a strict gym routine. Even a short walk or stretching can be helpful. The trick is to find a physical activity that you enjoy — and make it a regular part of your routine.
“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” – Jim Rohn
3. Unplug: These days, it’s easy to get caught up in the constant flow of emails, news, and social media updates. Scrolling through our online networks can be overwhelming and anxiety-inducing and it can be easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others. Taking a little time away from checking emails, your Instagram or Tik Tok feed or the news can give you a much-needed mental rest.
The light emitted by our screens can also interfere with our body’s natural sleep rhythm — making it harder to fall — and stay — asleep. Sleep plays an essential role in our physical and mental health. It gives our body a chance to reset and allows us to wake up feeling clear, alert, and refreshed. Limiting screen time before you go to bed can help you get a better night of valuable sleep.
It can also be helpful to take regular breaks from technology and spend time doing things that bring you joy and relaxation — without an app. As Texans, we love our outdoor activities — and our state has so much to offer. So put your phone on “do not disturb” and enjoy the natural beauty of our state.
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes…including you”.
– Anne Lamott
4. Connect: Humans are social creatures, and connecting with loved ones and your community can reduce stress and anxiety and provide a sense of belonging and purpose. When you create a genuine connection with others— you give yourself access to a network of people who can offer help and emotional support when you need it most.
“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.” – Brené Brown
So invest time in your social life and activities that foster connection. Have dinner with family, host game nights with your friends, attend a local sports event, or volunteer for a cause you care about in your community.
5. Embrace Leisure: Carving out time for leisure and self-care in your daily life helps you feel your very best. People who engage in leisurely activities and practice self-care, experience lower levels of stress and an improved quality of life. Without it — you risk higher levels of burnout.
The things that bring joy and relaxation can look different for everyone — whether you find this joy by taking baths, attending a pottery class, getting a massage, or working in your garden. The important thing is that you make time for yourself, your hobbies, self-care, and favorite ways to unwind. Because when you feel good, you’re better able to show up for the things and people that matter to you.
“The paradox of relaxation is the renewal of the mind, rekindling of spirit, and revitalizing of strength.” – Lailah Gifty Akita
Although stress is a part of life, you can begin now to increase a greater sense of ease, calm and well-being and live a more peaceful life today by incorporating these simple practices into your routine. To a better you.
