Thoughts On Stress

By Justin Sorbo

“It is not the most intellectual of the species that survives; it is not the strongest that survives; but the species that survives is the one that is able best to adapt and adjust to the changing environment in which it finds itself.” - Charles Darwin

Our human form is a giant feedback loop of stimuli and response. No input is ignored, positive or negative. We often don’t know how stressed we are until it boils over in the form of muscle knots, insomnia, high blood pressure, anger, and extreme fatigue.

Social media, the news, family responsibilities, financial problems. Yep, life can be stressful.

As I enter the final 2 weeks before my wedding, stress is starting to show itself. My body hurts in weird places and I’m having trouble shutting my brain off at night.

Our world is infected by an unprecedented amount of noise. When you’re feeling like crap, take a look and see what you’re spending your time on.

Examine your day-to-day life to take an inventory of what you could eliminate, reduce, or increase to keep you on track. Human beings can manage enormous amounts of stress for limited amounts of time, provided that they make space to recover.

Negative stressors you can eliminate:

1. Endlessly scrolling social media. This one is a killer. Delete the apps from your phone for a certain time period, and then bring them back later when you’re ready.

2. Alcohol. Destroys sleep quality and alters mood.

3. Reading the news: 99% negative bullshit that you can’t control. If it’s important enough, you’ll find out from someone else.

4. Worrying about the future. Instead, write everything down that you have to do and make a calendar. Then, do it in pieces. Put the calendar somewhere you can see it and set reminders on your phone.

Positive stressors to continue or do more of:

1. Exercise. Easily the best form of stress management and it’s not even close. Makes it easier to do less of the things that you don’t want to do, too. If your day is packed, work out for half an hour instead of an hour.

2. Sleep. Put your phone away a half hour before bed, and make sure you’re room is cool and dark.

3. Do 1 task at a time. Put your phone away when you eat, and focus on how your food tastes.

4. Social time with friends in real life. Schedule a date and stick to it, even if you don’t feel like going. You have your whole life to sit around and do nothing.

5. Quiet. No talking. Go for a walk by yourself.

6. Meditation. Doesn’t have to be complicated - set your phone for 60 seconds, close your eyes, and count your breaths. Let your thoughts pass through your mind. Stay focused on breathing.

7. Laughter. Watch your favorite TV show.