Stress.
There’s the good kind – like that experienced during exercise – and then there’s the bad kind. The kind that wreaks havoc on your body in ways you don’t want havoc to be wreaked.
I come from a family of stressers. (Not stressors. Well, actually…no I digress. Haha.) Lucky, right? 
I stress over everything. I stress over my kids (not them personally, but situations, haha), things that happen to my husband, bad runs, sicknesses, my own health, things my sisters and mom go through, money, coursework (eh hem….perfection), weight loss…I probably shouldn’t go on. If I do, it’ll likely stress me out.
Stress has been on my mind a lot recently and Ericka’s post on yoga reminded me to post about it, because I think it’s the one thing that is holding me back from achieving more of my (smaller) weight loss goals. (Thinking about it probably makes it worse, I know.) I’ve been spiffing up my diet like whoa, working out more – all the good stuff that adds up to success. It’s just not happening for me right now…and I’m willing to bet it’s stress that’s preventing that from happening. (I may or may not also be a wee bit impatient. I’m trying to move past that.)
I was going to post about stress yesterday, but instead, I tackled a project that has been stressing me out (this is the most “stress”-filled post ever, literally…look at how many times I’ve said the word).
All that project reminded me that we still have a house to put on the market.
Anyways, I tackled it, got it done, and I do feel better about that. Now it’s time to get a few other things done before my mom arrives tomorrow. I haven’t seen her since July when I was in Chicago, and I can’t wait…but she hasn’t seen this house (the first house she and my dad ever bought) in about two years. Time to impress, you know?
I don’t take enough “me time”, though. I’ve written about how moms (and women in general) feel selfish when it comes to their “me time” and their workouts. We shouldn’t. Ever. (If you haven’t read that post, I loved writing it…and I don’t want to make this post any longer. Hehe.)
I take time for a workout, but I have to admit, it’s often interrupted by the world’s sweetest three-year-old and mornings…well, I have no excuse. I really don’t. I should just get my ass up at 5AM and workout until 6/630AM, when I have to get the world’s coolest five-year-old up and out the door for school. I’m trying to kick my night owl habit, though. I’m working on it. I suppose a few days of late nights and early workouts would kick that habit, right?
So here’s my thing:
Yoga and meditation. I think it’s time. I think it’s time to incorporate them into my daily life. Rebekah Borucki, who you all know and love from BexLife, does a series of meditations lasting just 4 minutes. If I don’t have 4 minutes, I have a problem, right. I’m going there. It’s time. I can’t remember the last time I meditated, and I know I need it. Along with the yoga.
I have taken two yoga courses, each lasting 8 weeks (classes twice a week), and every time I’ve done it, I’ve found myself far less stressed. There really is something to practicing yoga, and it’s not just the physical practice. I’ll keep you updated on the stress-less project I have going here.
QOTD: What’s your favorite way to de-stress?
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Yoga is high on my list of de-stressing techniques. Going for a run, or even a walk, ranks high on the list, too. When I don’t have time for any of those, I’ll take a shower. Somehow that always relaxes me.
Best of luck with your stress-less project!
Running is a big stress-relief for me, and I’m NOT a winter runner. I hate the cold with a passion. lol So a lot of my runs are on a treadmill during the winter. (Which means my kiddos are always nearby.) So yoga and meditation it’ll be.
And showers? DEFINITELY.
I once read a quote that said something like, “You may say you don’t have time for meditation. I say, I don’t have time for the stress I feel when I don’t meditate.”
I’m a stresser too, and I fully agree that meditation is a must–just haven’t gotten there yet!
I need to live by that quote. I stress far too often about things that affect people I love…and I can’t control those things.
Here’s to more meditation for both of us.
Meditate! and walk. Sometimes at the same time
I’m a thinker when I walk. lol Meditating while I walk would be like blindfolding me and making me walk. Disaster! lol
I’ve thought a lot about adding morning meditation to my day. I think it would help me to get my mind right for the day ahead.
You definitely need YOU time, that’s important, especially since you’re a mom. For me, running and biking are de-stressers that I really enjoy doing. Also, maybe give yourself 10 minutes after you wake up to journal your feelings and just breath. Journaling is great not just for writers!
Sometimes just taking an extra fifteen minutes to sit and just be can make ALL the difference. I have been trying to use my commute time as my ‘just be’ time to let my mind wander, let go of whatever stressy things are rolling around in my head at that moment in time and it’s honestly really helped. Esp since commuting can be such a stressor in and of itself, you know??
Take that time friend, it’s needed.
please sleep more, friend, and then you will feel energized to get up earlier, so you get your me time and feel more awake too! Ok, end worried friend comment
You do so much for so many, you need to focus on you too! XO
The only way I really know how to destress is to run! A good solid run will always help relieve any stress I’m under…and leaves me feeling on a “high” for hours after. And I always do my best to get 7-9 hours of sleep a night!
Everyone is full of stress whether they admit it or not! It’s almost relaxing to get all of this off your chest, right? LOL! You’re definitely not the only one! I was definitely frazzled earlier today but I always think about the future and how the stress of right now is not going to kill me… I then also think about all of my loved ones and all those who support me, that always helps. Drinking some hot chamomile tea also helps too
Goodness, lady! I can tell you’re stressed! I have a lot of trouble with stress too, but for me, it’s more just anxiety than anything else.
I was also thinking of starting to incorporate yoga into my workout routine too because whenever I do it, I am so relaxed and my body feels so much better.
I hope you can get a handle on your stress. But even if you don’t, DON’T stress it
So there. Stress, severe anxiety, and depression run in my family too. They are a consistent battle for me. I’ve been struggling A LOT A LOT A LOT with those things lately. Like worse than in years. It’s time for a change and I’ve been making steps for that change. Scaling back work. Setting my priorities right. And actually more regular yoga is part of it too. Here’s to less stress!
I’m a huge ball of stress most of the time. It’s a constant battle with me too. I love that you are thinking about practicing yoga more – you know I love it. It really does do wonders for me, now more than ever before. I used to think that I needed 90 minutes of sweaty vinyasa yoga to de-stress me but I’ve realized that I only need a few sun salutations. In the end, it’s really those few minutes of moving meditation that makes a world of difference for me.
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