Being home with your partner, kids & perhaps even extended family without much (or any) break can be #exhausting.
While it may be difficult to set aside time for yourself, remember that a #HEALTHY, #POSITIVE you has a ripple effect that WILL spread throughout your household & beyond!
Finding healthy ways to take a break from daily #stressors can HELP YOU become a healthier version of yourself for those who depend on you.
If you are like most people, when stress and chaos increase in your daily life, you probably rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms to manage it (i.e., you may buy things to make yourself feel better; you ignore the problem and hope it goes away; you smoke or drink alcohol or caffeine, overeat, etc).
The truth is, these #strategies are not #effective or #healthy in the long term, nor are they *in line* with your health or perhaps even weight *loss* goals.
Therefore, you need to practice stress management techniques that support a healthy lifestyle.
The next time you are “in a storm”, consider a #relaxation exercise instead of turning to unhealthy coping strategies.
☑️The 5-5-5-5-5 Exercise
(Adapted from 50 more ways to soothe yourself without food, by Susan Albers, PsyD.)
✅List 5 people you can call when you feel stressed, overwhelmed, upset, or need to vent.
✅5 ways you like to relax: List 5 ways you can de-stress (i.e., take a hot shower or bath, put your feet up, take a few deep breaths, etc.)
✅5 places you can go to calm down (i.e., your bedroom, a quiet space where you might not be bothered, outdoors, etc).
✅5 things you can say to yourself (i.e., I can do this, this too shall pass, etc).
Power phrase: “EVERY day in EVERY WAY I’m getting better & better!” – say this- over and over again. Daily!
✅5 activities to distract yourself (i.e., start a puzzle, color, watch a movie, etc.)
Much ❤️🙏
Optimizing Purpose, Potential & Presence 