Handling High Stress

Have you ever looked back after a time of high stress to realize how bad things have gotten?

• You can’t sleep

• You’re anxious all the time

• You feel exhausted by noon

• You’re tired, but wired

• Everything hurts

Been there, done that. It sucks.

I’ve also learned a lot from going through times like these. I’m entering another one now, and I feel so much better equipped to handle it this time while still feeling well.

What’s the secret? It all starts with noticing. 

I’m writing this while a loved one will be going through a big surgery. This will reduce my work hours for a few weeks (hi financial stress!) and just be an emotionally charged time, all while moving toward my surgery.

Anyway, that’s what I’m going through. And this week, I’ve noticed I’m:

• having a harder time falling asleep when I wake up at night

• getting more sore from the same workouts

• having a flare-up of my neck pain

• losing my appetite

Do I feel terribly stressed during the day? No.

But these are my body’s messages screaming that I AM STRESSED.

So how am I coping?

• More rest between workouts

• More deliberate cool-downs from my workouts

• Running less, walking more

• Going to sleep earlier

• Putting my remaining mental energy into tracking my food to make sure I don’t go off the rails and keep eating enough calories, protein, and fiber

• Stopping coffee earlier than I usually do (around noon)

• Recognizing my anxiety, which is physical for me, and using the tools I have from therapy

But this all starts with noticing. Ignoring your body’s message is how we get burned out and depleted.

If you’re reading this, you may be going through a high-stress time, too. Maybe you just had surgery or you’re planning one. Maybe you’re having complications.

Even if you can push through and handle it all, is that really what’s best for you? Maybe not.
So I hope I can inspire you to give yourself the same compassion you give everyone else.

If you resonate with this, I’d love to hear from you.