Written by: Jennifer McClendon, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Stress happens. Too much for too long harms our brains and body. Stress can be acute (short-term), chronic (long-term), routine (work demands), sudden (failing an exam), or traumatic (accident or witness to violence). It is not just another buzz word. It affects the lives and well-being of millions every day.
Ignore stress and it may go away or affect sleep, appetite, and performance. It can also cause health problems, anxiety, depression, and suicide. Knowing your stressors and responding to them in a healthy and proactive way provides an opportunity for relief and recovery. Eliminating stressors is also an option.
Performing beyond our capacity impacts every area of our lives. The same is true when personal issues are not addressed. Faulty beliefs like, “I don’t have time to rest” or “rest is for the weak” help maintain a culture of building stress tolerance. What we need is stress-reduction.
These ten tips can help us create a culture of mindfully reducing our stress:
Check on you often to see what stressors are present and DECIDE how to address them.
Know your bandwidth and practice NOT overloading your mind and body.
Identify what is in your power TO control and what is not.
Give yourself permission to LET go of unrealistic expectations of self and others.
Practice not allowing STRESS to build up throughout the day, take breaks often.
GET active in your own life, do not let others decide what you will do to care for yourself.
Complete THE recommended health screenings and preventive exams.
Use the BEST version of yourself as a model to boost self-confidence when in doubt.
Be aware OF the resources and support available to help you thrive.
Put YOU first.
Remember that counseling is a tool that helps people gain clarity about stressors and renew their commitment to practicing stress relieving behaviors. It takes time, patience, and commitment but it is doable.
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Jennifer McClendon, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Jennifer McClendon is a licensed professional counselor and licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor with over twenty years of experience in the mental health field. Early childhood and young adult experiences led her to counseling for personal growth and created an opportunity for her to become a counselor helping others recover from similar challenges. She specializes in care for substance use, trauma, anxiety, stress, depression, and co-occurring conditions.
