How to Tell if You're Stressed
Aug 06, 2024
Have you ever been so stressed for so long that it feels "normal"?
Years ago I was going through some life stuff that had me feeling super stressed out...(wait I think we all were in 2020)!
But it wasn't until it was over that I realized how tense my muscles were and how much stress I was storing in my body.
Maybe you can relate.
In fact, check in with yourself right now.
Are you clenching your jaw?
Are your shoulders tensed up towards your ears?
I get it!
If you tend to hold stress in your body like I do, here's a quick and easy body scan exercise you can do 1-2 times a day to help you recognize when you're stressed and manage it before it gets out of hand.
- Bring your attention to the muscles of your head and face, noticing any tension you're carrying, and consciously relax those areas.
- Continue to focus your attention gradually down your body, through your neck, shoulders, arms, back, chest, abs, hips, legs, and feet.
- Pause at each area to notice any tension, and then relax those areas.
- Breathe naturally.
If you've been stressed for a while, you might notice that your muscles start to tense up again almost immediately after doing the scan.
Over time it will get easier - especially if you make room for other stress-busting habits in your routine, like regular exercise.
Plus you'll find that when you feel less stressed, you not only feel better, you typically lower your cortisol...which can help you lose weight!
That's why when we work with clients, we don't just check in about food.
We also check in with your stress levels, what you're doing to "fill up your cup" on a daily basis, and how we can "upgrade" unhelpful habits with ones that are more useful to you.
Together we'll create a personalized plan, celebrate your successes, and tackle any challenges that come your way. You don't have to do this alone!
