During her session with me, a client was experiencing a challenging day. Her energy levels had been low ever since the birth of her new baby. First and foremost, it’s worth mentioning that this remarkable woman continued her exercise regimen with her trainer right up until the day her water broke. Remarkably, within just two months after giving birth, she resumed her exercise routine once more.
She shared that her husband, in an attempt to secure a peaceful night’s sleep, had asked her to leave the bed. Their newborn baby was waking up every 2-3 hours, leaving them both exhausted.
Now, she not only wakes up with the baby every day and night but also has to sleep somewhere other than her own bed. How could she possibly find time to focus on herself? With the baby only one month old, the daily strain was becoming overwhelming, potentially leading to depression and the kind of burnout that drains every ounce of remaining energy.
So, where do you start when stress begins to dominate your life? Let me clarify upfront that I am not a therapist; I’m simply a fitness enthusiast. My approach to dealing with stress is rooted in physical fitness. So, let’s begin with the understanding that you can’t completely eliminate stress in this world; it’s an inherent part of life. However, you can take control and manage it to your advantage. Start by asking yourself these questions when you notice life’s pace accelerating, whether in positive or negative situations:
- What can I do to reduce certain stressors?
- Since not all stress can be eliminated, how can I best cope with them?
- What does my current life situation reveal about my overall well-being?
- How can I take charge of my life?
- How can I approach problems with assertiveness?
As a fitness expert, I prefer physical solutions for dealing with stressors. After all, it’s cost-effective and readily accessible. Here’s my first piece of advice for those dealing with stress: go for a walk, use the treadmill, run outdoors, or ride your bike. Physical activity clears your mind, allowing you to process answers to the questions above. For some, weight training serves as a means to release frustration.
Think of exercise as a protective shield or a suit of armor. When you engage in physical activity, stress can bounce off the confident aura you radiate. For me, training has always been a God-given tool to eliminate stress.
Consider adopting one of these positive affirmations:
- Working out equips me with the tools to shield myself from self-destructive tendencies.
- Exercise increases my craving for nutritious foods.
- Working out can be the one positive event in my life when everything else seems to be falling apart.
- Exercise is within my control, my domain, and my path to success because it’s up to me.
- My workout is my current obsession, drawing me closer to controlling my weight, feeling good about myself, and looking better.
- Through exercise, I can eliminate unnecessary stressors.
- I won’t conform to others’ standards; instead, I’ll live by my own.
Trying any of these positive affirmations may provide the encouragement you need to manage stress more effectively.
Listen, stress never escapes humans on this earth. So we must take on solutions that are simple and realistic.
