Everyone experiences stress. Maybe it’s triggered by a new fitness routine you’re starting, an important meeting you’re running late to or an upcoming life event. While some deal well with stress, others can feel overwhelmed and struggle to cope. If you are one of these people who crumbles under the pressure of being stressed, we want to share some ways you can de-stress and bring balance to the situation.
The ultimate tool for coping with stress
Coping with difficult circumstances can be stressful in itself. But you can learn to deal with the effects of stress. How? Mindfulness.
Mindfulness is a powerful tool that can be practiced both in sports and everyday life. It is the idea of being fully present in the moment, or in other words, allowing yourself simply to be.
In practice, mindfulness means allowing yourself to sit with your thoughts - all thoughts - even the negative ones. And when these negative thoughts come up, to identify them, accept the things you can’t change and instead focus on what you can achieve. This simple shift in focus can help you develop positive coping skills that will do wonders for your stress and overall wellbeing.
Getting started with mindfulness
Mindfulness may be intimidating at first, but it isn’t actually all that complicated. The key to getting started is to take some time for yourself. We get so caught up in daily life that we often forget to take a break, spend some time alone and just relax. Relaxation rejuvenates both the body and mind and helps you deal with difficult situations in a positive way. Try to take at least 5-10 minutes out of your day and complete a box-breathing exercise, or go on a short guided meditation walk – whatever feels right for your body and your mind.
Our guided meditation and audio courses within the Freeletics Mindset Coaching can also help you further develop these positive coping skills. Remember, strength is more than physical. The new Mindset Coach offers a variety of audio coaching sessions specifically on coping with setbacks and managing stress - it’s a great way to access a meditation from your pocket.
Add exercise to the mix
In addition to practicing regular mindfulness, any form of physical activity can be a powerful way to help relieve stress and actually boost your mood. In fact, the two complement each other incredibly well. Exercising leads to an increased excretion dopamine, serotonin and endorphins, better known as the “happiness hormones”. These hormones contribute to the feeling of well-being and euphoria along with a reduced level of the stress hormone cortisol – even in the long run. Thus, your resilience concerning stress increases and you feel more confident, optimistic, powerful and happier.
Let’s recap:
Stress is simply an integral part of life and is oftentimes out of our control. The key is learning how to cope with setbacks, manage stress and improve your focus. Next time you feel overwhelmed, use our tips to bring balance back into your life.
