Episode 213: Relieving Stress

We all get stressed from time to time, and some times are worse than others. In this episode Shannon and Janine discuss some stress-relief techniques, as well as some ideas for keeping stress levels low. Discussion topics include: • Janine's litany of things that are stressing her out right now • Shannon's husband's recent surgery and its resulting stress • How we feel stress in our bodies • Chronic vs acute stress • The terrific talk on stress relief that Janine heard from Kathy Willis of Lewis and Clark Community College • Kathy's Stay or Go stress assessment tool • The power of recognizing those things you can change and those you can't • The physiological changes in your body created by stress and relieved by breathing • Kathy's breathing-while-counting technique • The importance of hydration, healthy eating and a good night's sleep for relieving stress • Another stress reliever: Moving your body • Becoming aware of the stressors in your life and changing the way they affect you • The value of talking or writing about the things that stress you • Releasing yourself from perfectionism and being kind to yourself in order to lower your general stress levels • How keeping your stress levels low makes it easier to handle acute stressors • Recognizing that you do have a choice about things that stress you and letting that recognition relieve some of the stress Visit the show notes at www.gettingtogoodenough.com for links!