Ever felt like stress was just piling up, and you couldn't shake it off? How about sleepless nights or racing thoughts? Don't worry, you're not alone. Studies show that stress is a full-body experience and just telling ourselves to relax won’t do the trick. Researchers have found it is crucial to close our stress cycles for our physical and mental wellbeing. But how do we do it? We need to figure out ways to signal to our body that it is ok to settle down, that the threat has - at least momentarily- passed. First, we could sweat it out with some exercise or a good dance session. Taking some deep breaths or even having a good cry can help. Social support is also important, like talking to friends or a therapist. Even time spent with pets can be calming. But here's a simple tool you can use anytime, anywhere - a quick mindfulness exercise. Find a quiet spot, take some deep breaths, and focus on the sensations in your body. This can help you regain control over your stress response. So let's close the stress cycle by moving our bodies, connecting with others, and practicing mindfulness. Let’s work to give the body the break it needs. After we exercise, we give our muscles a break - this works the same way! We need to allow our bodies adequate time to recover from stress. This ultimately makes us stronger and more resilient!
