“Stress is the mental and physical response and adaptation by our bodies to the real perceived changes and challenges in our lives” (50). Stress is the most common feeling that I think humans have in their day to day life. I for one, will feel stressed at minimum once a day. Throughout the chapter I found it interesting to learn about the different types of stress including the positive stressors in our life. “Eustress, or positive stress, presents the opportunity for personal growth and satisfaction and can actually improve health” (50). I’d say that in the last week, I have felt a good amount of eustress. I recently joined a new “gym” (I put in quotes because it is more of a fitness studio where we do pilates style workouts, but it is considered a high intensity yet low impact). I have truly found a work out that challenges me and I look forward to doing. My stress come from finding the time to get to the classes, knowing I may have to stay up later, wake up earlier, or squeeze it into my busy schedule knowing that I will feel amazing once its done. I have gone to 6 classes so far in the last 3 weeks, and have set a schedule to try and get to as many classes as I can in the month!
I can relate to the chapter when it speaks on how stress can effect our sleep. When I am stressed, I don’t sleep. I toss and turn all night, even when I am prepared for the morning, nothing seems to help. I have made it a goal to try to get to bed earlier, and when I feel ready to go to sleep that I don’t use my phone to “unwind” as it makes it much more difficult (tik-tok before bed, tell me someone else can relate?!).
In regards to my health aspect of just living a more active and healthy life style, I feel I have started to make small progress. In the last 3 weeks, I feel proud of myself for stepping outside of my comfort zone and trying something new that I have grown to really like. Since I am exercising more, I have found that I am more mindful of the food that I put into my body. I also feel that I am sleeping better and have more energy. I actually wake up to my first alarm and just hop out of bed – its crazy. In the coming weeks, I want to cut back on weekend drinking and the snacking that is associated with it. I want to increase my water intake, and continue to find time to do things that make me feel good from the inside out, which was always my main goal! Below will be a picture of a smoothie bowl that I got after one of my first fitness classes from a local juicer in my town.
Emily's Blog 