As the summer begins, many of us find ourselves in a whirlwind of activities and deadlines, much like the hustle of December. Often referred to as "Maycember," this busy period can lead to heightened stress as we juggle various responsibilities. Recognizing how stress manifests in our bodies is crucial for maintaining our well-being during these times.
Understanding your body's stress signals is a powerful tool for self-care. Stress can show up in various physical forms, such as a tense jaw, tight shoulders, or an upset stomach. These signals are your body's way of communicating that it's time to pause and address the underlying causes. By tuning into these cues, you empower yourself to manage stress more effectively and create a sense of safety and grounding in your life.
Here are ways quickly reset when you notice your body's stress signals:
Remember, taking care of yourself can ward off burnout. The next time you notice stress creeping in, take a moment to breathe, listen, and care for yourself. Your body's whispers are powerful, and by heeding them, you can better navigate stressful times.
Mindfulness, yoga, and meditation teacher, Jillian Pransky, reminds us how grounding ourselves releases stress:
Once we feel welcome in our own lives, and safe and grounded in our body. We can start shifting our attention to being here rather than there.
Psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi suggests that stress is unavoidable. Our superpower is how we face stress:
It is how people respond to stress that determines whether they will profit from misfortune or be miserable.
from Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience
How will you respond to stress this weekend?
Learn more about responding to stress in the Managing Stress Journey in the Moment for Parents app.