The effects of stress

There have been many studies that highlight the negative impact of chronic stress on your overall wellbeing. Stress symptoms can affect your body, your thoughts and feelings, and even your behavior. Which is why Reynolds Defense Firm makes it a point to understand what’s going on in our clients lives when they come to us for help. We understand that people typically don’t get arrested for DUI when things are going well. A DUI arrest is usually an indication that there are underlying problems in their lives that need to be addressed. And chronic stress from work, family, or school, is the most common issue our clients face.

The inevitable truth

It’s impossible to avoid stress altogether. Stress is a normal psychological and physical reaction to positive or negative situations in your life, such as a new job or the death of a loved one. And some research has indicated potential health benefits to temporary bursts of stress. But if your circumstances keep you in a state of anxiety or you spend a lot of time in tense environments, stress becomes detrimental to your wellbeing.

Coping with stress

Because stress is inevitable it’s important to learn how to manage it. Incorporating self-care into your daily routine is essential in helping to relieve worry and tension, and we share some great self-care tips on our blog. Additionally, an article by Innerbody Research offers 16 expert-backed methods of de-stressing in your daily life. Below we will summarize some of our favorite methods to mellow out, but make sure to read the full article for more great de-stressing techniques.

Tip #1: Immerse yourself in nature

Even if it involves just a simple walk around the block, getting outside in nature is a time-tested and professionally backed coping tip to give your mind and body a reprieve from overwhelming chronic stress. Research indicates that boosting your levels of sunlight-derived vitamin D3 may elevate serotonin levels, effectively improving your mental health.

Tip #4: Breathing exercises

Breath focus is a technique developed by Harvard cardiologist Dr. Herbert Benson to evoke the relaxation response, a state of deep rest similar to meditation. This form of deep breathing brings your mind, body, and spirit into focus. It is also frequently used by therapists and psychologists to help clients overcome panic attacks and general anxiety. For more information on deep breathing techniques, a quick internet search will provide you with limitless resources to guide your process.

Tip #8: Shift your perspective

The reality of happiness, stress, and mental health is that it’s all connected by perspective. If you have ever talked a loved one out of a state of anxiety or depression, you likely know how much perspective dictates the situation.

Shifting your perspective involves looking at your situation from another point of view. Try answering some of the following questions:

• If you were your best friend, what advice would you give?
• Would you see things as dire from an outsider’s point of view, or would you have more sympathy?
• What options are available that you may not have seen from within your microcosm of experience?
• What are some positive aspects of your situation?

Sometimes stepping outside of yourself allows you to think outside the box and find new solutions.

Tip #14: Face your problems

When dealing with overwhelming or complicated issues, our first response is often to run from the problem. It’s just too much, and we can’t handle it. But persistently putting off the issues haunting you never makes them go away. Instead, it often creates a mental vacuum where you obsess over the issues without accomplishing anything. Clearly, this creates a stressful headspace.

We can eliminate that internal battle by tackling the issues head-on. Sometimes it’s as simple as finally making that dreaded dentist appointment. Other times it’s as complicated as divorce proceedings or changing careers. However, the issues you’re facing are surmountable if you take them one step at a time.

We feature more ways to practice self-care on our Instagram account every week! If you want a weekly reminder of different ways to improve productivity and reduce stress, follow us @reynoldsdefensefirm.