Fostering Stress Resilience

The following is from Fostering Stress Resilience – Cacao Collective. I found it a useful reminder that it’s best not to avoid stress entirely but to learn to better manage and deal with it. :black_heart:


In our quest for a balanced life, stress is an inevitable companion and part of life. Whilst there is always a lot of focus on finding ways to limit or reduce stress (and rightly so), it’s also important that we cultivate a deep-seated resilience to it so that we can transform not only the way we perceive life’s stressors, but also how we respond to it.

Let’s explore some powerful strategies to foster stress resilience:

  1. Choosing discomfort: It might seem counterintuitive at first glance, however, when we voluntarily step outside our comfort zones — be it through physical workouts, hot/cold exposure, public speaking or learning a new skill — we’re essentially training our mental and emotional muscles to deal with stress more effectively. This deliberate practice not only enhances our ability to adapt to new situations, but also increases our confidence in facing challenges.

  2. Cultivating Quiet Moments: We can all agree, quiet moments are precious. Carving out time for mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing, or simply sitting quietly with a cup of cacao can provide a profound sense of relief and clarity. These practices aren’t an escape from reality but a way to face it with a grounded presence.

  3. Building Connections: Resilience is as much about the strength we find in others as it is about the strength within us. Cultivating meaningful relationships - connecting with friends, family and community - can provide a support network that’s invaluable in times of stress. It’s about sharing, listening, and simply being there for each other in authentic, meaningful ways.

  4. Embracing Rest: In a culture that often equates busyness with worth, rest can seem like a luxury. Yet, it’s as essential as air and water. Quality sleep, relaxation practices, and leisure activities that rejuvenate your spirit are not indulgences but necessities. It’s about honouring your body’s need for rest, recognising that true resilience comes from a place of restfulness, not exhaustion.

  5. Seeking Growth: Finally, resilience is about growth;. It’s about learning from stress, not just enduring it. This means reflecting on challenges, seeking lessons within them, and approaching life with a curious and open heart. It’s a journey of becoming, where each stressor faced is an opportunity to learn more about ourselves and how we can navigate the complexities of life with grace.

By committing to even just one of these practices and weaving them into our lives, we cultivate a new level of tolerance to stress, challenge and hardship that also acts as a buffer for maintaining wellbeing.

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Bookmarked it’s very nice. Thanks for sharing babe :gift_heart::gift_heart::gift_heart:

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Very well put. Everyone should read this and put it in to practice.

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This is excellent. Thankyou for all the tips. :green_heart:

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Always grateful for new strategies to help handle stress in positive ways. Thank you, @starborn! :pray: :heart:

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Summarised from: https://www.nytimes.com/article/how-to-deal-with-stress.html. While there are some suggestions on how to build resilience that are a bit iffy, the general idea of most of this is quite good. :black_heart:

Understanding Stress in the Modern Context

Stress is an inescapable part of modern life, influenced by work, family, finances, and external factors like politics and terrorism. While a small amount of stress can be beneficial, excessive stress can dominate and harm one’s life. The belief in the detrimental effects of stress can exacerbate its impact.

Exposure to Stress

Regular, controlled exposure to stress can better prepare individuals for significant stressful events. This can be achieved through self-education about stress, engaging in physically challenging activities like marathons, or confronting fears such as public speaking. Repeated exposure to mild stressors can adjust the body’s response biologically, enhancing stress management.

Boost Stress Resilience

Resilience, or the ability to recover from difficult experiences, can be cultivated through various practices:

  • Reframe negative situations positively.
  • Rely on core beliefs or faith.
  • Find role models who have overcome adversity.
  • Face and confront fears directly.
  • Seek support from religion or spirituality.
  • Connect with friends and family.
  • Engage in regular exercise.
  • Challenge oneself physically, mentally, and morally.
  • Discover meaning and purpose in life.

The Mind

The mind plays a crucial role in managing stress and requires rest to function optimally.

  • Meditation: Acts as a restorer for the mind, similar to how exercise benefits the body. Controlled breathing through meditation improves concentration, vitality, and the immune system.
  • Journal Writing: Keeping a journal, writing mission statements, or making priority lists helps reflect on situations, alter perceptions, and identify obstacles.

Stress and Appetite

Stress affects appetite differently depending on its duration:

  • Acute Stress: Can temporarily suppress appetite as a response mechanism.
  • Chronic Stress: Often increases appetite, leading to potential overeating.

Mindful eating, characterised by slow, conscious eating and savouring each bite, is essential. Being present while eating enhances the experience and reduces stress.

Friends and Family During Stress

Support from family and friends is crucial for managing stress and building resilience:

  • Offering and receiving support through listening, empathising, mentoring, and volunteering is beneficial.
  • Physical touch, such as hugging or holding hands, can reduce stress.
  • Spending time with animals is known to lower stress levels, and pets provide significant comfort and relief.

Health Effects of High Stress

While some stress is necessary, chronic stress can lead to numerous health issues:

  • Heart Problems: Increased risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.
  • Weak Immune System: Greater susceptibility to illnesses.
  • Diabetes Risk: Chronic stress can cause higher blood sugar levels.
  • Digestive Problems: Stress affects digestion and can lead to unhealthy eating habits and increased alcohol consumption.
  • Reproductive Issues: Stress can impact sexual health and reproductive functions in both men and women.

Understanding and managing stress through these strategies can significantly improve overall well-being and resilience.

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Well said and beautiful :heart_eyes: work my witchy sister :clap: :heart: :trophy: :fireworks:

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Thank you for sharing this, bookmarked and saved to print out later! :heart:

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Yes ma’am :two_hearts:

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