Looking at unhealthy ways we deal with stress

Everyone deals with stress in different ways.  For me, I thought I was dealing with it in a healthy manner.  I made sure I was going to bed early, I set my alarm for 6 am every morning and maintained a consistent schedule. On top of that, I exercised every morning to a Youtube video and made sure I took a walk every day, can’t have too much Vitamin D!  I was organized, purging items from closets, alphabetizing cans of soup.  I was going to be the quarantine queen! I would show everybody what the model of quarantined life should look like.  Until…..

Going to bed early became 7pm.  It’s not that I didn’t want to be around my family.  The days seemed long and I just wanted to sleep so the next day would begin.  I gained weight.  Eating unhealthily and trying to get some happiness from a delicious sundae with homemade strawberry sauce that I drowned the ice cream in.  And then there was work, and more work, and hey, there it was again.  I just thought about it all the time.  Either I was actually doing the work or thinking about it. 

And so, I will not be crowned the quarantine queen.  I have struggled as I am guessing most people are.  But with the acceptance of failure I also have the revelation that I can change my future. So, with that, I will not be going up to my room at 7 with the pup.  I am taking the board games back out and the 1,000-piece puzzle.  I am getting control of my eating and especially my desserts. No more lavish sweets during the week.  I will save that for the weekends. And then there’s work.  This is a tough one.  I can shut off the laptop at 3:30 but shutting off my mind is a totally different ball game.  So, I will work on that one.  Maybe try some music or an audiobook to fill my brain.

This week in group, we are looking at healthy and unhealthy ways to deal with stress. You may not realize that things you are doing may be unhealthy.  I know I was surprised.  So, take some time to look below and see how you might want to change how you are dealing with stress

Healthy Ways to deal with stress Unhealthy ways to deal with stress

Take a nap or go to bed on time Stay up late most nights

Eat healthy foods and snacks Eat junk food

Take care of my body Skip routines and showering or brushing teeth

Get Organized Give Up

Play a Game Ignore my responsibilities

Spend time with people I care about Spend time alone

Get some fresh air Work Work Work with no breaks

Exercise Sleep too much

Control my breathing Not wanting to talk about what’s bugging you

Have a great weekend!

Ms. Steph