Want to Stress Less?
I’ll be the first to admit that with change comes challenge and stress, and change is hard.
It’s taken me a while to get to a place where I can handle the constant changes that come with my husband’s catastrophic injury with a bit of dignity, rather than freaking out or having a melt down whenever a new challenge popped up. (check out our story here)
How did I get there? What was it that helped me the most? Bottom line, once I realized that in order to be the best spouse and caregiver I could be, I had to tend to the following 4 basic needs before I could even have a remote chance of enjoying our new and different lifestyle.
I learned that I could function better and be stronger if I understood the importance of mastering these “needs” sooner rather than later. I learned that if I took care of these things, I was better prepared to handle the chaos and craziness that life as a caregiver carries with it.
You may have already mastered them, or you may be just beginning to see the need to master them, but either way they are a starting point from which to build upon if you want life to be better.
Remember:
To be prepared is to stress less,
And stressing less is always a good thing!
(or so my husband tells me)!
Want to Stress Less? Do these 4 things:
Learn to embrace change. The fact is that life will change and it will change often. The sooner you accept that, the easier every “change” will become. Expect life to change, be flexible and plan for the unexpected.
Reach out and find a true Battle Buddy. If there was one tactic that I would say saved my sanity more than anything else it is the significance of a true Battle Buddy. Someone who doesn’t judge you, calls you on your crap, understands what you are going through and makes you laugh. This isn’t someone to “bitch” with, rather this is someone who will “ride the ride” with you.
Be flexible. I get that routine is our friend, and the comfort of routines help us feel “in control” of our life. However, this is a false sense of security that can leave us unprepared for a crisis or challenging situation. Learning to be flexible, so we can adapt and conquer change helps us not only feel “in control”, but it will help us develop coping skills and strategies that allow us to be flexible. In this crazy, chaotic and stressful life, flexibility is key to enjoying the changes life brings while it allows you to maximize every experience.
Take care of you. Without exception the physical and emotional challenges we face can cause “a real world emergency” or “shut us down for repair”. It is important that we find ways to de-stress, take care of our health and adjust to new situations. We all know that sometimes we are so busy tending to our lives that even when we begin to “squeak, hiss and slow down” we ignore the fact that it’s time for necessary maintenance. So to insure that you are emotionally and physically ready to tackle whatever happens, you must make sure to take care of yourself by focusing on the following:
Recharge your battery. No one can run on empty. You must find ways to recharge. Maybe it’s exercises like yoga or running, perhaps it’s crafts or coffee with a friend on a regular basis. Heck it may even be just taking a nap. No matter what it is, making sure you make the time to recharge your battery on a regular basis will give you the energy and the stamina to “handle” the many ups and downs this life brings.
Let your emotions fly. No one can hold it together all the time, and that’s a fact. Acknowledging that you aren’t “super(wo)man” makes it a whole lot easier. I know that from time to time acknowledging that this life isn’t easy makes me feel so much better.
Stop “reacting” and “dramatizing”. If you find yourself getting frustrated over the same “issues” or “challenges” that life brings, maybe it’s time to check in with yourself. Are your expectations realistic? Are you spending time “arguing with reality” rather than accepting what you can’t change. Do you “set yourself (or your family) up” for disappointment? A little shift in your expectations and how you approach this life can make all the difference!
~Judy Davis is on a mission to help you stress less and improve your mental wellness. She is a motivational speaker, published author and mental wellness specialist with information, products and books that are go to resources to help people reduce stress and find balance in their lives. Connect with Judy at DavisInspired.com or on Instagram @Judy.Davis55