Written Monday:
I have always believed that I am either prone to stress or
have a very poor way of dealing with it. And to a certain extent that is true,
but I have always been active in trying to control stressful reactions. In the
past I have seen the overall benefit of allotting effort for self-care, time
management, diet, exercise and positive perspective.
Just in the past week, however, did I truly come to the
realization that my perspective of
‘dealing with stress poorly’ may indeed weaken my ability to deal with it. I rated myself lowest on: perspective, diet and exercise. Each got a score of about five to six. I suppose I tend to
sacrifice keeping up with my well being over other priorities. Anyway, I
figured I would coolly try to improve these areas over the next week to see
what happened.
Indeed, it definitely helped. I forced myself to stop
over-thinking and worrying. Even further, I focused on positive aspects of each
day. I hoop dance - which I allowed myself time every evening to do, to get my
heart rate up and have fun. And I made chicken noodle soup from scratch, to
last the week and add a nutritional boost.
I found improving one area helps reinforce improving other
areas. Not only was I feeling generally unstressed, I was more motivated to
continue feeling that way. I stopped complaining about things, found myself
wanting to exercise more and eat healthy food more. I even found myself
cleaning up and organizing often in my free time.
Written Tuesday:
I must laugh. I’m looking over what I wrote yesterday with a
sore throat and a cough. I guess I can’t be positive that stressful feelings
caused a drop in immunity and an oncoming cold, but considering I have not been
sick for several months prior, yet twice over the past three weeks, makes me
wonder.
Regardless, mentally, I feel less stressed. I re-rated myself
today at about a seven or eight, depending on the day (for perspective, diet
and exercise). I do now tend to have a brighter outlook and increased
motivation. Plus, aside from this oncoming cough, I feel physically more
energetic and fit.
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