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Summer

Beat Stress, Regain Your Focus and Improve Your Well-being

August 02, 2018

Are you unable to focus on that big project and feel frustrated because of it? Do you ever feel a restless urge to get up and get some air?

We’ve all been there. I’m here to tell you to listen to your body. The stress you are feeling is real, and your body is telling you how to recharge and reboot.

In this blog I will explain what stress is, and I will give you a simple solution on how to fight back against the stress and the subsequent loss of concentration.

What is Stress?

Stress is when your tasks have become more than you can manage even when using all of your available resources. For example, you’re at home doing chores. Looking at the piles of laundry, you feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and angry. Your mind starts racing about the big project at work and taking the kids to a soccer game at 3. However, your spouse is already taking care of the kids, so you shouldn’t feel like you are unable to, of all things, take care of the laundry. This is stress. You are using all of your resources to help with tasks, but you still feel overwhelmed. Stress takes away your feelings of control, and makes you yell, “I cannot handle one more thing!” Stress also makes it harder to come up with solutions to current problems because you are unable to think clearly.

What is the solution?

The solution is very simple. Listen to your body. Get up and take a break, or better yet, step outside. The reason you feel better after getting some air is because it really does help improve your focus and clear your mind. Multiple studies show that “…visiting a natural landscape and engaging in some type of physical or contemplative-based recreational activity (e.g., walking, sightseeing, fishing, etc.)” reduces stress, promotes “…restoration from attention fatigue”, decreases worry, and improves self-esteem and mood. The benefits are not only psychological but are also physiological. Over time, reducing stress improves your immune response and helps fight against diseases like heart disease and cancer. Going for a simple walk in nature even helps manage symptoms of many conditions like metabolic syndrome.

What if I live in the city or don’t have immediate access to a park?

According to the study by authors Alan Ewert and Yun Chang, you get the most benefits from being fully immersed in nature. The more surrounded by nature you are the better, but don’t let this discourage you from doing something like taking a walk around your work building. You also get some benefits from doing this, going to a gym, walking through a city park, or bird watching in your backyard. Even if you have to put off doing outdoor activities until the weekend, every little bit helps to reduce the stress you feel. Don’t be afraid to get creative with finding an activity that works best for you!

To summarize, being in nature, from walking to sightseeing, will improve your mental and physical well-being. If you need some help choosing what activity to do, we have plenty of blogs to help with your decision. These include: benefits of walking or running; tips for boating or camping; and getting into golf, soccer, or biking.

Want to further explore your options and our website? Please go to our blog for further reading and check out our website to learn more about Atlas Therapy.

Stay tuned for a future blog about chronic stress and ways to cope and look out for Happiness Happens Month in August!

Posted in Summer on Aug 02, 2018