Stress is a MAJOR factor of life- especially when you’re young and it never seems to go away. It is something we should learn how to harness and control, as to not go absolutely insane.
When you’re in your 20’s, there are so many things happening and changing, so naturally there are many things to stress out about. Trying to figure out life, trying to understand budgeting, discovering who we are, who we like, and not mention planning for the future and choosing a career path (*begins hyperventilating*). And that’s just a few of our woes… How could anyone possibly control his or her stress?
By the way, what even is stress? Stress can be disguised as so many different things. It can take on many different forms, which varies from person to person. It can be overeating or under-eating, loss of appetite, sleeping too much, sleeping too little, or insomnia. I mean really, it could be anything. For me, it has been indigestion and once, I even popped a blood vessel in my eye because of stress… Did you know that is possible?? I know people who twitch, who get major anxiety, get canker sores, or who can’t physically keep food down. All of these are inconveniences to our day and can prevent us from really, truly being happy and doing what we need to do. Frankly, stress can make us miserable.
Ultimately, we stress because we care. The things we stress out about are things that matter to us and we are invested in the result or outcome and so we worry. And sometimes we worry about things that aren’t in our control. There is no way we can plan out our whole life story and if we did, it’s likely not going to go as planned because unexpected things happen all the time and will throw it off course.
So is there really anything we can actually do to save ourselves from stressing out? To prevent ourselves from worrying? To truly let go? Well, there are definitely things worth trying. First and foremost, the number one important thing is self care. This looks different to everyone as well. But let’s start with the basics (And yes, I admit they are really basic, but sometimes we all need a reminder on how essential they really are).
WATER. Is so good for you. Drinking enough water is essential to living and to being able to function on a daily basis. Keep a water bottle in your purse or at hand anywhere you go. If you have it, you will drink it. Take a second to consider how much water you have drank so far today? Are you close to your eight glasses? Chances are, probably not, because that is hard! But let me tell you, it is so rewarding. Anytime I consciously drink a lot of water, I feel happier, my body is more energized, my skin is clearer. Overall life is just better.
Second, eating properly. I’m not saying you need to go on any sort of diet, but the nutrients that you get out of food are so important to how your body handles your stress. You want to make sure you have a balance of all of the things your body needs. Like I said, when under lots of stress, a lot of people’s eating habits go haywire. This is due to the fact that your mood receptors are actually located in your belly. Weird right? So that’s why many people see an odd link between food and emotions. So when you’re stressed and not feeling in tip-top shape, getting something delicious and wholesome in your stomach is probably a good start.
Lastly, treat yourself! Doing something you love is so so so important during times of stress. You MUST reward yourself and take some time to take it easy. Self-care can sometimes take the form of getting a manicure, taking a yoga class, or taking a warm bath. Honestly, sometimes it is as simple as taking a 20 minute power nap, focusing on your breath for 10 seconds, or having some alone time. Find what you can do to focus on yourself every single day and commit to it.
After all, you are the first person who is there for you every single day and every single minute. Making sure that YOU take care of you is essential to living a long and happy life. There are many distractors and detractors and you must invest in mindfully and consciously removing the stress from your life.
