As a wife, Mom, and entrepreneur I think it's safe to say I'm busy. And the truth is that being "busy" often results itself in stress. Most of us live stressful days unfortunately, but here are a few ways I try to manage stress. I am not expert by any means but I hope that maybe some of these will help you feel a little less stressed today.
1. Let the stress in | That's right you heard me. Let it in. I suffer from chronic cluster headaches, which if you do a quick google search you will find, SUCK big time. Cluster headaches have taught me a lot though. One of the biggest lessons is to let the pain in, don't fight it. The more I fight against the pain and tense up, the worse it gets. It's a matter of letting go, sitting with the pain, and letting it be. The same is true for stress. The more you get twerked out about the fact that you are stressed the more it gains power. It is okay to be stressed!
2. Have a plan and be willing to abort | I'm full of contradictions today! It helps me to have a plan for my week. If you've been following me for awhile you know I love planners (especially my Erin Condren Life Planner) and lists! It helps me stay organized and know what's coming. I can lay it out and get ahead of the game. Just when I think I'm about to get ahead though, inevitably life happens. Kids get sick, computers crash, internet goes down, plagues of locusts descend...okay maybe not that one but you get the point. It has taken me years to realize that the point of having a plan is that you can work around things. It's okay to let it go and make a new plan. It also helps to sing "Let it go" to yourself over and over. "Let it gooooo, Let it goooooo...."
3. You time is VITAL | Why is it that when we are stressed and need it the most our self care is the first thing to go? We stop eating, meditating, working out, showering, sleeping, and then don't understand why we are falling apart when the world asks more of us. Sound familiar? When stress is coming for you buckle down on self care. Why? Because you are important. You can not do more if you do not have more to give. I'm gonna say that again. You can not do more if you do not have more to give. So shower. Eat your veggies. Take those vitamins. Take 5 minutes to have a gratitude practice. Go to bed early. WALK. I promise it will make the time during the day that you have to kick butt more valuable.
4. Call on your people | When you go beyond this is a stressful situation to this is a stressful time in my life, call on your people. They are there. We are not doing this life alone and we shouldn't be doing this life alone. Ask for help. Vent. Watch bad TV and have a beer with a friend. At the very least get a quick hug. We are all stressed at different points in our life but that also means that we all know what its like. Don't fall into the lie that no one will understand or no one has been through this like you. You are not alone.
What are your tips for managing stress? Yoga retreats? Screaming into a pillow? Long car drives? I want to hear all about it! I hope in some small way this post helps you today. Remember its okay to be stressed, its okay to vent, but you're not alone and it won't be forever.
Cheers!
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Beth Bowman is an intimate wedding, destination, and elopement photographer with a heart for adventure based in Lexington, Virginia. She thrives on awkward, intimate, and authentic moments. Her mission is to document moments of love and light that they may encourage and inspire others during hard times--that love is the only true adventure. Her style is romantic, creative, and genuine. She believes in getting out in the rain, head back laughs, taking risks, and brave love stories.