Coping with Stress: Get Back on Track

As we prepare to launch our new and improved website, things are very busy here at HealthyWomen.org! We're so excited to share all the great new features we have in store. But, as you can imagine, we've been swamped with work, leaving little time for anything else. Add night classes and co-teaching a childbirth class to that list of things to do and you've got my crazy life. Needless to say, I've been feeling a lot of stress and it's finally caught up with me. So, instead of curling up in a ball and crying (like I wanted to do today), I've been forced to reevaluate my coping methods.

1. Exercise
I have been using the poor excuse of "I just don't have the time to exercise." Maybe that's because after running a half marathon, going out for a twenty minute jog doesn't seem to be good enough. So I said to myself, "get over it" and went out today for a short run before starting work. It definitely helped set my day off to the right start. Setting a goal also helps. Mine is to do at least two days of cardio a week and one yoga class on the weekend. Get more ideas for finding time for fitness.

2. Meditation
As you've read in previous posts, meditation is something that really helps me to feel calm and centered. But of course that's been put on the back burner too. But no more excuses, even if it's just five minutes a day, closing your eyes and breathing deeply can make a big difference. I particularly love doing the "bliss boost," where you close your eyes and bring to mind a time when you were feeling extra happy, letting yourself really feel that joy. Then, let go of the memory and hold on to that elated feeling while you breath deeply. Learn more about meditating.

3. Eating right
As a holistic health counselor, I always feel extra guilt (more stress!) when I've let my schedule get the best of my eating habits. After having a protein bar on the run for dinner last night, I realized I had hit rock bottom. So, my plan is to cook a few meals this weekend and store them up for the week. Plus, adding some extra vegetable juices and protein to my diet for an added boost.

How do you cope with stress? Need help? Learn 7 ways to sideline stress.