Identifying Stressors in Life
April 11, 2022
The mind is more powerful than you know. It can take over your thoughts and behaviors due to stressors in your everyday life. These stressors are those that negatively impact your mind. Identify patterns of negative thoughts and behaviors and practice changing them. Now, this is not something that happens overnight, it takes time and practice. To begin the process of changing these patterns you need to understand them and where they come from.
Major stressors in life are where it all begins. These include people, money, work, body, mind, leisure and perceived loss. Negative thoughts are usually followed by the stressors, which can add stress. There are ways to help improve your mind-body connection to cope with these stressors. They are the following:
- Track your thoughts. Negative thoughts are automatic. Tracking them allows you to see how they affect you in your daily life.
- Utilize your support system. This can be extremely helpful. You can’t do everything alone. Let others help you. Receiving help from family, friends, or professionals is never bad.
- Deal with your emotional difficulties. Similar to the previous point, get the professional help you need. Whether that means counseling, therapy, or medication. It allows you to overcome these types of difficulties.
- Add relaxation strategies to your everyday routine. This does not require a huge commitment. It promotes overall health and can easily be accomplished with quick breathing strategies.
- Know your feelings. Your emotions can trigger thoughts and behaviors. Which is why when you are frustrated for example, it can trigger negative thoughts, which then can trigger negative behaviors.
- Listen to your body. Your body can tell you more than you think. Identify where in your body you feel various emotions. When you are angry or frustrated you may feel a tightness in your chest or stomach.
Remember this is a process. It will take time and sincere practice. Be patient with the process and yourself.