Do you ever get to the end of the day and wonder, ‘Where did it go?!’
Often times, there’s so much to do and so little time.
Sun up, to sun down, there’s meetings, appointments, carpools, lunch dates, life to-dos (like oil changes or post-office runs), traffic, work to-dos, social life gatherings—you name it, you got it.
Sometimes having so much to do—and so little time—can be overwhelming.
Anyone relate?
How do you deal with stress?
Do you have tendencies or go-tos that are ‘second nature’ to fall back on when the tough gets going? Things that bring you a source of comfort in the midst of stress—things you may not even realize you easily run to in order to ‘deal.’
For instance:
It may be a particular food that brings you comfort—from your favorite fat-free yogurt cup to a pint of Ben & Jerry’s.
Thrusting yourself into work, or procrastinating as much as you can.
Hitting up Lululemon or Anthropologie—no strings attached to that credit card.
Avoiding people (isolation) or overcommitting yourself to everyone and everything (the ‘yes’ man or woman).
Quitting exercise or stepping up the exercise.
Stress is most certainly one of those guarantees in life, and one of those things in life that teaches us to either sink or swim—and something we must all learn to cope with—in one way or another.
Most recently, this was brought to my attention, with a little self-reflection, thinking about my ‘ways’ of easily coping with stress—through training.
Don’t get me wrong, training and movement can be wonderful things! And I most certainly have a healthier relationship with the two than I did in my eating disorder—but in order to keep it that way, I am aware that when I am stressed, I need to make sure not to take out that stress too far into the gym.
Instead of turning to overtraining nowadays, like I used to in my eating disorder, I must hold fast to a conviction I set for myself in my recovery: know your truth.
During times of self-reflection and introspection, I ask myself now: What is my truth? And more often than not, I am able to decipher healthy from unhealthy decisions and choices I make.
What about you?
What are areas that can be ‘blind spots’ for you, or things that come ‘natural’ if you are not on your guard during times of stress.
Sometimes, just taking a moment to stop and think about it can help point you on th right path.
I know for myself, at least, that is the case.
Pause. And reflect.
Is what you are doing right now and the daily habits and choices you make, aligning with the convictions and lifestyle which you desire to lead?
If not, it’s time to do some re-evaluating, for, where the mind and heart are, the body and soul will follow.