Living with stress is normal...Maybe an unpopular opinion, but one I stand by and know it will be a gift of sorts to you…I have spent so much of my adult life in particular and even more so as a mum, trying to live stress free.As that was the societal goal: “you should find ways to eradicate stress from your life”It took a while but I eventually came to a place of acceptance, as a mum to a child with high needs, I experience stress.A no-stress life was a pipe dream, an unrealistic expectation…So how do you live with stress in your life, without allowing it to be detrimental to your health and inner peace?It really comes down to having a plan in place and go to strategies, that you can use in the moment to reduce and cope with your feelings of stress, either big or small.In times of high stress I have always found the following quote a great reminder of the control I have in each and every situation…"Stress is not what happens to us. It is our response to what happens. And response is something we can choose."Maureen Killoran

The situations that appear in our life are not always in our control, but how we react to it, now that is where our power lies. In this episode I will teach you five strategies to Living WITH Stress...

1. Calm Tone of Voice – This is imperative for how you speak to yourself during times of stress.  This will provide a calming response to your nervous system.
2. Deep Breathing – Your breath is the biggest natural asset that you have, using it to calm your mind in times of stress, will allow you to think in a logical way. Use the box breathing method, breathe in for a count of 4, hold your breath for a count of 4, exhale for a count of 4 and rest for count of 4.
3. Smiling – Utilising another natural asset your smile, this will help to relax your muscles, notice more positive options and lower your blood pressure
4. Stay in the present moment – Ground your energy through using this statement “right here and right now I am safe”.  Using this statement will bring you back into the present moment and help to allow your nervous system to feel safe.
5. Gratitude Practice – Each day write down one thing you are grateful for, and put it in a box and then on days of stress, reading these entries will help to lower your cortisol levels (stress hormone).

Visit my blog to see the visual for the Box Breathing Method.

I trust this episode has served you!

Angel Blessings

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