Stress

Everyone has some sort of stress. My stress level for the past six months as been at an all time high. Luckily I have realized a few ways I can lower the amount of stress I am under and I want to share them with you.

Stress is horrible thing that everyone must deal with. Sadly, we can not just pretend it doesn't exist, that's not going to make it go away. The only way to rid yourself of this part of life is to face it head on and conquer it. Well, that sounds like we're heading in to war...and we kind of are. This war is a nice one though, full of smiles and relaxation. One key to relieving stress for me is yoga, lots and lots of yoga. No I do not believe in the religious aspect of it, just its physical benefits. Each morning I begin my day with a twenty minute yoga session. This morning routine gives me more energy for the day to follow; but at the same time relaxing me. Yoga tones your muscles but doesn't raise your heart rate very much, so you don't really feel like your working out. I used to love running, but the chest pain got to much for me, especially after having pneumonia for almost a month. I would recommend yoga for anyone, and even more so to those who struggle with stress.

One reason for the stress I was having was due to my unhappiness with what I looked like. I have always loved fashion and beauty, I love looking at the latest fashion shows and the model that wear them. The idea of what I should look like was morphed by the images I saw. A few days ago I was at H&M, my all time favorite store, I looked at my self in the mirror and rather then seeing the cellulite and flub I use to see, I just saw me. Now mind you I'm not "fat," but I'm not a stick. That was the first moment in a while that when I looked at my self I liked what I saw. This realization comes at its own time for every girl. But its worth the wait, because each one of us is beautiful an we need to know that.Yes, I still love getting dressed up, putting make up on, and trying to look pretty, but I know that its not all that stuff that makes me "pretty" what makes me beautiful is what's inside. One you know how truly beautiful you are you stop worrying so much about what others think. Once you do this, its a huge burden off your shoulders.

Another thing I did to help relieve my stress was to cut out sodas. I know it sounds kind of strange, but its true. The caffeine in sodas makes you jittery and therefore more stressed, I noticed this was extremely true for me. Now don't get me wrong, during finals week I may have a Pepsi to keep me awake, but on a day to day basis I do not drink any sodas. Also, when I eat healthy, balanced meals with lots of fruits and veggies not only does my stress leave but so does my acne. I feel like I'm talking about a diet with the no sodas and now this but, oh well. As a super busy teenager, fast food and junk food is often an easy option. But when you feed your body bad things, your body is going to feel BAD. If you eat junk food and fast food all the time you are going to get fatigued faster, and when you have lots going in your life that not really an option and it can begin to feel like there isn't enough hours in the day to do all that needs to be done. Whenever we feel like this stress is inevitable. Also, when eating healthy you are more likely to feel better about yourself, going back to the idea that stress can come in part for body image.

The last thing I do to relieve stress is to just dance. Not ballet or jazz but just dancing around the house to music. I personally like to do this when no one, but maybe my mom, is in the house because I look like a total dork. But, who cares! Isn't that the point. After a spontaneous dancing party with me, myself, and I, the stress just melts away.

So I hope this helps you master your stress as it did me. 

♥