Introduction
When life throws stress our way, it can be challenging to navigate. Many of us are familiar with the urge to push ourselves to the sidelines in order to tackle the tasks and issues that come with a high-stress period. But while this might seem like the only choice, it’s essential to making time for self-care and reflection.
Self-care is an umbrella term for any activity that brings you comfort and relaxation. This could include things like spending time in nature, getting a massage, painting, going for a walk, or simply taking some time out of your day for reflection. Self-care is about learning to listen to our needs and honouring them, both physically and emotionally. It’s about committing to practices and activities that help us to access our inner peace and recharge, no matter what’s going on in our lives.
When we prioritize self-care and make time for it, we’re better able to manage the challenges and stressors that life throws our way. So, let’s explore how self-care can help us to find solace during high-stress periods.
Different Types of Stress
a. Defining stress: Stress is a state of mental and physical tension caused by demands made on an individual in a specific situation. It can occur when individuals are placed in situations they perceive to be uncontrollable or intolerable. When an individual is under stress, they may experience physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, fatigue, and irritability.
b. Explaining different levels of stress: Stress can take many forms: from mild and manageable to extreme and overwhelming. We typically think of stress as a negative thing, but it can also be beneficial.
At the lower end of the stress scale, there can be positive stress. Dubbed the “comfort zone,” it is the mild stress associated with going through new experiences or incentives. It is enough to keep you motivated, but doesn’t exceed the threshold of becoming too overwhelming.
On the flip side, there is distressing stress. This type of stress can be triggered by a wide range of sources, such as intense workloads or emotional trauma. It is important to be aware of when stress is beginning to take a toll on you. This is especially true during high stress periods.
Finally, traumatic stress, which is a very intense form of distress, can result from extreme and sudden shocks, such as the loss of a loved one or an unexpected tragedy. Traumatic stress can be extremely overwhelming, and even debilitating, for an individual.
No matter what type of stress you are facing, it is wise to seek out self-care. Self-care can come in many forms, like exercising, meditating, or taking a break. These methods can help you to cope with your stress and can also provide you with solace in times of high pressure.
Different Types of Self-Care
When times get tough, knowing how to practice self-care can make all the difference. Self-care can be defined as any activity that brings you comfort and supports your well-being. Whatever brings you peace and makes you feel your best, that’s what self-care is! Below we’ll explore different types of self-care that you can bring into your life during high stress periods.
a. Physical Self-Care: Physical self-care is exactly what it sounds like – taking care of your physical body. This could look like getting enough rest, drink plenty of water, eating nourishing foods that make you feel your best. It could also include taking breaks to move your body, stretching, stretching, yoga, going for a walk (or jog or bike ride.) It could be taking time out of the day for a hot bath and giving yourself a manicure. Self-care is often about creating rituals and habits that make you feel more connected to your body. It could also look like using natural products that boost your body’s self-healing powers.
b. Mental Self-Care: Mental self-care is about giving your mind a break from stress, worry, and overthinking. This could mean engaging in hobbies like reading, writing, painting, playing music, or any activity that captures your attention and brings you peace of mind. Mental self-care could also look like setting boundaries with yourself on how much time you spend on social media, or controlling how often you check your phone. You could also practice mindful meditation and gratitude, or take some time to journal and explore the thoughts and feelings within you.
c. Emotional Self-Care: Most importantly, during high stress period, emotional self-care is going to look like spending time with your friends and loved ones, and doing activities that bring joy into your life. This could look like going to the movies, going out to dinner, or volunteering. It could mean deep conversations with peers, connecting with your spiritual practice, or engaging in activities that help you to express emotions in a safe space. It could be creating a gratitude practice that helps you to appreciate the little things in life. Emotional self-care is about reminding yourself of the love, joy and beauty that life has to offer – it’s the ultimate act of self-love.
Overall, self-care is all about taking the time to care for yourself in whatever way works best for you. Everyone has unique self-care needs, but the key is to implement some form of it in your life – this is the best way to foster resiliency and create a more sustainable wellbeing.
The Benefits of Self-Care During High Stress Periods
When stress levels become particularly high, finding solace in self-care can be a great way to restore balance to your life. Taking even a few small steps to prioritize your physical, emotional and mental health is important for repairing the damage caused by stress and can make all the difference.
First and foremost, self-care can help repair the damage stress causes. Stress can wreak havoc on our systems and cause physical, emotional, and mental wear and tear. Self-care activities such as meditation, a hot bath, or even 10 minutes of stretching can help reduce stress, recharge your battery, and promote feelings of calmness. Taking regular self-care breaks, even if it’s just five minutes of deep breathing, can have a powerful impact on your life.
Self-care can also help to boost your productivity. When life gets chaotic, it can be difficult to get things done. Self-care activities help keep us focused and energized, which can make us more productive. For example, setting aside time for exercise or journaling can feel like an indulgence, but actually increases our productivity and success.
Finally, self-care can increase overall wellness. Taking time for yourself to recharge allows your body and mind to rest and relax, which helps keep your body running at its best. Make sure to listen to what your body is telling you. You know yourself better than anyone else, so don’t be afraid to customize your self-care routine to fit your needs.
Overall, prioritizing self-care during high stress periods is essential. Taking care of yourself prevents burnout, reduces stress, and helps promote greater wellbeing. So don’t be afraid to take time for yourself and indulge in some self-care activities. It can make all the difference.
Examples of Self-Care Strategies
A. Exercise:
Taking time to focus on exercise can be a great way to relieve stress. Exercise releases endorphins, the natural ‘feel-good’ chemical in your brain that can help you to feel better and relax. Focus on fun, low-impact activities like walking, yoga, or tai chi. Or if you really feel like pushing yourself, create a mini-workout program that focuses on your energy and endurance.
B. Meditation:
Meditation is an ancient practice proven to foster both emotional and mental well-being. Reducing stress levels are just one of its many benefits. Spending just a few minutes a day in a quiet place to focus on your breathing and clear your mind can help to bring a sense of calm and peace. There are many apps and podcasts available that can help guide your meditation practice.
C. Journaling:
Expressing your thoughts and feelings can be very therapeutic. Taking some time to write out your thoughts on paper can help to create insight and clarity. As you practice journaling, you may be able to identify patterns and areas in your life that may need attention. You may come up with solutions to your problems or ideas for how to tackle big projects. Writing it all down can be very empowering.
Conclusion
In conclusion, self-care is the practice of taking responsibility for your own wellbeing and a great way to lift your spirits when life feels overwhelming. It can bring increased creativity and productivity, as well as lower stress levels and an overall sense of calm. Self-care can look like anything that brings you joy and comfort, including exercise, reading, journaling, and taking breaks in nature. Taking time out to attend to your needs, even when it seems counterintuitive in stressful situations, deserves to be a priority. We all deserve to give ourselves the care and kindness we need in order to thrive, and during moments of high stress, the best way to access that is through self-care. So don’t forget to take care of yourself and make sure to add self-care activities for difficult times into your daily routine.
