Stress is a massive contributor to heart disease and immune system failure but its impossible to avoid, especially if you're spending 8 to 9 hours a day in high stress situations in the workplace, or commuting.
If you're anything like me, you consider mental health to be incredibly important, and consider a healthy mind a great contributor towards a healthy body. If you have a disney+ subscription then I'd highly advise watching the new national geographic show Limitless where Chris Hemsworth attempts to overcome anxiety through some incredibly extreme methods. Although extreme, there are some beneficial everyday breathing exercises and mindfulness exercises which can be adopted by anyone.
Since watching the show, it's provided that extra push towards adding to my morning routine. I wake up naturally at around 5 to 5.30am each morning, climb out of bed, make myself a cup of peppermint tea and scroll through the news. After that, I unroll my yoga mat and complete 5 to 10 minutes of either yoga or meditation which is a great start to the day. I treat my face to a moisturising cleanse and spend a bit of time choosing my outfit for the day since I adore fashion.
I understand that this routine is not available to everyone. I understand that people who have children might not have five minutes to spare in the morning, or have the inclination to get up early before their kids wake up to have that time for mindfulness. If you can spare the time, even just for a second of peace, make it about you and shut off all that additional noise.
You have probably heard about the fight or flight response to stressful situations, probably have even felt it, but did you know that this response is caused by adrenaline and cortisol? These hormones offer you the ability to fight or flee in situations when you feel stressed, and then, once the body is safe and feeling less stressed, the cortisol levels return to normal.
Continued stress levels over a longer period of time can cause elevated blood pressure, and can lead to cardiovascular issues and it can reduce your body's ability to fight off disease.
So stress, although good in small doses, shouldn't be felt continuously or for long stretches of time and if it does then our lifestyles should be addressed and amended to allow for mindfulness and self care routines.
Trust me, it works.
In the past six months or so I have been going to the gym each week almost religiously, and have significantly reduced my sugar and calories intake in an attempt to prove my health and decrease my weight. To be perfectly honest, I feel incredible. I have more energy in the day and feel way more motivated (I've written more blog posts this year than I think I ever have before).
If you are struggling with your motivation or stress levels then trying something physical and mindful might be the key.
Try it and let me know how you get on.
Until next time.
Comments