Written by: Tim Collins, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Stress is a normal part of life that results from your emotional response to challenging situations such as work deadlines, kids keeping you up at night, or negativity in the news. It can make you sick and damage your body. In fact, according to the CDC, nearly 90% of diseases are stress-related. However, when you find strength in your stress, your health can thrive.
One of my favorite books, Man's search for meaning, written by Viktor Frankl in 1946, forever changed my perspective on handling stress in every situation of my life. He labored in four different concentration camps, including Auschwitz, between 1942 and 1945. Despite all the cruelties he experienced during the holocaust, he survived and ultimately earned his Ph.D. in psychiatry from the University of Vienna.
He explains that man does have a choice of action even when experiencing emotional or physical stress. Today, his mindset methods restore health to people all over the world. Here are seven concepts I learned that continually help me and can do the same for you!
Unpack your thoughts: The first step toward defeating stress is understanding how you create your feelings. When you experience an event, it stimulates your brain through pictures, sounds, taste, smell, or touch. You make meaning of what happened based on your biology and random personal experiences. Consequently, you react according to your emotions.
The outcome can either be good or bad, depending on your response to the event. For example, instead of saying, "I have to take the kids to basketball practice today," say, "Today is great! I get to take the kids to basketball practice." Do your best to unpack your thoughts by associating a positive purpose with the experience.
Humor is a weapon: Humor can afford an ability to rise above any situation. Invent at least one entertaining tale about your future daily. Remember, the outcome is sweeter when you keep a good sense of humor going through the process.
Focus on others: When you put other people's needs first, it distracts you from your problems. The summit of happiness in life is when you share your time, gift, and knowledge with others without expecting anything in return.
Meditate on your bright spots day and night: Instead of trying to better yourself by searching for flaws or criticizing your mistakes, Look for where you have succeeded. Use your strengths as leverage to grow.
Focus on what you can control: You must change yourself when you can no longer change a situation. Positive emotion will surge through your body when you find opportunity in your obstacles!
Lift Weights: Resistance training builds strong bones and muscles and helps your brain release serotonin hormone to improve mood. Learn the basics of moving correctly, use bodyweight exercises, then progress from simple to complex.
Eat mindfully and slowly: When you're stressed, you might tend to eat faster and not chew properly. The chunked food becomes harder to digest. However, when you chew at least 26-30 times, your body is better positioned to optimize the nutrition!
The most important idea I want you to take away is that our mental and physical strength improves every time we overcome stressful situations. You aren't wrong for feeling sad or down; it's ok to be human. We all encounter setbacks that aren't easy to navigate through right away. However, the next time your mental health is under attack, reflect on your new skills to keep a fresh viewpoint of your circumstance. Stay blessed and keep stretching for excellence!
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Tim Collins, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Tim Collins is a certified lifestyle professional based in Omaha, NE., with fifteen years of experience and more than 200,000 sessions served in his industry. Among the most significant accomplishments noted in his history of coaching fitness and wellness is assisting countless clients in transforming their bodies and lifestyles. He genuinely appreciates people and is deeply interested in their long-term success.
One of his favorite quotes is "Perfection is not attainable, but if you pursue perfection, you catch excellence" by the late Vince Lombardi. His programs are designed to meet you where you are and help you thrive in every area of your mental and physical health. He also values spending time with his wife Taisha Collins, 12-year-old daughter Violet, and 11-year-old son Santana!
Credentials
USA-Weightlifting Level-One coach
National Academy of Sports Medicine, CES
Precision Nutrition, Pn1
Clinical Hypnotherapy Practitioner, Transform Destiny Institute
Wayne State College graduate, BS Sports Management, 2007
