Just Say No to Stress

Stress is real for many people including myself. This week I had a fellow nursing classmate and team member curse me out when I asked her had she done her work on our group project. She hadn’t made any effort so she decided to drop the F-bomb in our clinical conference meeting about how ranted about how she was NOT going to do anything.

This was stressful and in this case unnecessary. It was even more stressful because other students, her peers, just sat there and said nothing. Basically, not one student had worked on the assigned worksheets for our project plan except myself so I was the “bad guy.” Perhaps, this is the difference between being a 40+ yr old student and a 20-something who would rather wait until the last minute or pray that someone else will pick up their slack.

Sometimes stress is good and natural. It can motivate you, drive you to excel or achieve a goal. It occurs when we start a new job, buy a new home or plan a wedding. It increases our mental focus and helps us to concentrate, increase our strength and stamina. Unfortunately there is negative stress too. Negative stress due to strain at work, family, relationships, unrealistic expectations, inability to accept uncertainty and negative self-talk can be potentially harmful.

Constant stress in one’s life increases a stress hormone, cortisol. Cortisol makes the heart pound faster, blood pressures go up, increase weight gain, increase nail biting, irritability and depression.

So what can we do about managing stress?

Exercise is a good remedy. No pills required.

· Exercise increases endorphins, the brain’s “ feel-good” neurotransmitters making us feel happy and a sense of well-being.

· Exercise improves mood and sleep that may be disrupted by depression, anxiety and stress.

· Exercise of any type: swimming, jogging, bicycling, yoga, tai chi, walking, and weightlifting for as little as 20 to 30 minutes can relieve stress.

· Exercise with others can help one forget about life’s problems and share some laughs.

I am grateful for the four evenings I spent this week swimming, running, stretching and spinning. A little sweat is a good form of stress relief. There is nothing I can do to stop stressors, but I can do my best to manage them.

~StayFitt

Comments

2021 Fort Ritchie Olympic Triathlon

General thoughts about the Fort Ritchie Olympic Triathlon and the race experience. On August 1, 2021, I participated in a 1 mile swim, 25 mile bike and 6.2 mile run. If you want stats, splits, watts, etc. you will find none of it here. Why? It’s not what is important to me in participating in triathlon. It’s not my why! I signed up for the local race in Cascade, Maryland because I knew it would challenge me mentally and physically. My expectations were to finish and learn. This race was not wetsuit legal and a USAT championship series race. I knew it would bring out some spectacular athletes from the area. But I also knew this, I have never swam in open water without a wetsuit. Never. Stacy motto- Safety first. I will not put myself or others at risk for me to race. I quietly spoke to the race director and he nodded that I could do the race but would not race in my...

The Reflections on COVID-19 from Generation X

When you grow up with less, you learn how to make a dollar out 15 cents See Langston was right. Life ain’t no crystal stair and grit is only a new concept to the comfortable living high on Maslow’s hierarchy. See when you grow up with little, you can make something out of nothing. You know how to create calm in the chaos. We know how to maximize with minimal. We’ve been living the game of Chutes and Ladders. We’ve been watching those who sit securely in the cushy desks slide down the chute while others who have been the backbone of this nation climb up the ladder to save her. See Patti told us Your Ams to Short to box with God. She’s right you know But this is all about show Healthcare is a human right Nah, I’m not one to pick a fight But... Like Stevie said we living on the edge of.. COVID-19 So forgive me this may sound mean For all of those who were against Obamacare and said it was like Government cheese Give your check to essential workers please A...

Workout with Friends-Nov. 2015

In November 2015, I decided to sign up for 10 k. As I have stated before I don't particularly like races. They give me anxiety and I don't need them to validate me. I workout rigorously and regularly so my attitude toward races had to change. So I decided to view them as workouts with friends. So there I was at the Bay Bridge 10k with thousands of runners. The weather was perfect. I saw a few familiar smiling faces from my local running club and Facebook. Attitude is everything. Regardless of the outcome, I was determined to have a great run and I did. I am not outcome focused in races, I focus on the process. Each step counts. I focus on each breathe and how my body feels. I felt great. There is nothing like visceral feedback. Did I care about my time? Nope. Did I have a great time. Yup . It was in that moment that I decided that I must do more workout with friends.

The Journey

Search This Blog