3511: 5 Effective Stress Relief and Mindset Tools That Really Work by Kristen Butler with Live Happy

[00:00:00] [SPEAKER_01] This is Optimal Living Daily, 5 Effective Stress Relief and Mindset Tools That Really Work by Kristen Butler with LiveHappy.com And I'm your narrator Justin Malik reading you articles every single day of the year including holidays so that you and I can both take a step in the right direction and have just a bit more positivity in our day, really does add up. So with that let's get right to it and continue optimizing your life.

[00:00:30] [SPEAKER_01] 5 Effective Stress Relief and Mindset Tools That Really Work by Kristen Butler with LiveHappy.com In today's fast-paced world, stress has become an all-too-common companion, leading to dire and significant consequences that impact our physical and mental well-being. If unchecked and unaddressed, prolonged stress can lead to many physical ailments such as a weakened immune system,

[00:00:56] [SPEAKER_01] cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, digestive problems, insomnia, and fatigue. It can also significantly compromise our mental-emotional health, contributing to anxiety, irritability, mood swings, depression, overwhelm, difficulty concentrating, and an inability to make sound decisions.

[00:01:18] [SPEAKER_01] Unfortunately, in our modern world of hustle, it's all too easy to fall into a lifestyle punctuated by chronic or constant stress. Now more than ever before, it's vital to find effective ways to relieve stress and cultivate a positive mindset in order to live a fulfilling and happy lifestyle. About a decade and a half ago, living in a chronically stressed state pushed me into obesity, depression, infertility, and burnout.

[00:01:46] [SPEAKER_01] It was the lowest point in my life, and quite frankly, I wasn't sure I'd survive it. The five mindset tools I want to share with you today helped me pull myself out of burnout, rebuild my life, and create power of positivity by creating relief from the stress that I was putting on myself and begin thriving. If you're feeling like you're being buried under the burdens of your stress, give these simple strategies a try.

[00:02:12] [SPEAKER_01] Number one, deep breathing exercises, the power of breath. Deep breathing exercises have been used for centuries to promote relaxation and reduce stress. When you're stressed, your breathing becomes shallow and rapid. This signals your body to enter a stress state, often referred to as fight, flight, or flee. In my book, The Comfort Zone, Create a Life You Really Love with Less Stress and More Flow,

[00:02:38] [SPEAKER_01] I talk in depth about how pushing yourself out of your comfort zone into your survival zone can push you into a stress response, where your physical and mental health become compromised and become more susceptible to illness and burnout. By consciously practicing deep breathing, you activate the parasympathetic nervous system, thereby guiding yourself back into your comfort zone where you feel more safe. This counteracts the stress response, normalizes your heart rate, and returns clarity to your thinking.

[00:03:09] [SPEAKER_01] Scientifically, oxygenating your body with deep breaths has shown to reduce anxiety, promote calmness, and alleviate overthinking. Next time you're in a stressful event, or about to enter a meeting, or even before bed, take a few deep breaths. Actually, do it now if it's safe to do so. Close your eyes and take three deep, deliberate breaths, filling up your lungs with as much air as you can,

[00:03:34] [SPEAKER_01] and then releasing slowly, making sure that your exhale is longer than your inhale. If you do this several times every day, you'll start to rewire your brain, organs, and neural system for more calm, clarity, and health. Number two, auto-suggestions and affirmations, harnessing the power of the mind. Your thoughts and beliefs have a profound impact on your emotions and behaviors.

[00:04:01] [SPEAKER_01] One of the easiest and most effective ways to rewire your mind for positivity is by incorporating positive auto-suggestions and affirmations into your daily routine. Using these science-backed techniques completely transformed my life, and I still use them to become the next-level version of myself. You can do this by journaling your favorite affirmations in the morning. I do this every morning in my three-minute happiness journal.

[00:04:27] [SPEAKER_01] The key is to use the same affirmations and harness the power of repetition until you fully embody them. You can write your affirmations, or you can use them as auto-suggestions by listening to the recordings of affirmations during the day or before bed, and reading your affirmations throughout the day. One way that I'll incorporate affirmations into my daily life is by recording myself reading my personal affirmations, and then listening to this recording on my morning walks.

[00:04:56] [SPEAKER_01] I'll also set reminder timers on my phone that will pop up throughout the day with my affirmations. Whenever this happens, I'll take a moment to close my eyes and repeat the affirmation to myself a few times and feel the feeling of its truth. Number three, go outside. Nature's healing touch. It's easy to underestimate the healing power of nature. However, stepping outside, immersing yourself in sunshine, and breathing in the fresh air

[00:05:25] [SPEAKER_01] can have a transformative effect on your well-being. Not only does being in nature provide a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life, but it also allows you to ground yourself and find pockets of inner peace. One of my favorite things to do when I feel stressed is walk barefoot in the grass. I'm always amazed by how quickly the stress and negativity of the day drains out of me when I establish a direct connection with the earth. I also feel more energized.

[00:05:54] [SPEAKER_01] Physical activities outside of the house or out in nature are also very powerful. Next time you feel stressed, take a few moments and go out for a power walk or a bike ride. If possible, feel the earth under your bare feet and the sun or wind on your face. Allow the healing, grounding power of nature to reset, recharge, and boost your energy. Number four, supplements, nurturing your body and mind.

[00:06:24] [SPEAKER_01] The right supplements can play a supportive role in managing stress and promoting health and happiness. However, it's essential to consult your healthcare professionals, such as a doctor or nutritionist, before incorporating any new supplements into your routine. For me, supplements like magnesium, B vitamins, and those targeted at supporting adrenal and cortisol health have helped reduce stress levels. Your specific supplemental needs may be different than mine. By nourishing your body with the right supplements,

[00:06:54] [SPEAKER_01] you can complement your stress relief efforts and support your body's natural functions. And number five, journaling, expressing and releasing dormant emotions. One of my favorite and most powerful tools that I use for self-reflection and emotional release is journaling. In her book, Atlas of the Heart, researcher Brene Brown talks about the healing power of identifying, understanding, and expressing the emotions that lie dormant within you.

[00:07:22] [SPEAKER_01] As you give voice to what you're feeling, the negative emotions you're experiencing begin to release and you're able to feel more positive emotions like relief, hope, calmness, and gratitude. Both morning and evening journaling are powerful ways to counter stress, release negativity, and foster a happier mindset. In the morning, journaling allows you to set intentions for your day, express gratitude, and release lingering concerns.

[00:07:50] [SPEAKER_01] In the evening, it helps you process your experiences, let go of negative emotions, and cultivate a sense of closure. In addition to these five practical and simple tools, there are numerous other practices that can help you reduce your stress and access a happier life. Some of my favorites are expressing gratitude, engaging in acts of service, reading personal development books, using lavender oil for relaxation, and spending quality time with my family and loved ones.

[00:08:20] [SPEAKER_01] What are some ways you release stress? You just listened to the post titled, Five Effective Stress Relief and Mindset Tools That Really Work, by Kristen Butler with livehappy.com, and I'll be right back with my commentary. As a small business owner, you never clock out, and neither does LinkedIn Jobs. While you're running your business, LinkedIn Jobs is running a powerful search for your next great hire. We've been lucky finding our team here at Optimal Living Daily,

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[00:10:13] [SPEAKER_01] Thank you to Kristen. Interesting that she mentioned affirmations and specifically recording them and then playing them back during the day or before bed. That's pretty much exactly what we do for you with our Good Sleep Podcast. It's a sleep affirmations show where we get you ready for bed and then start reading through affirmations over and over again, which helps with both getting to sleep but also harnessing the power of the mind. I recommend checking it out if you haven't already

[00:10:42] [SPEAKER_01] because it's a pretty passive way to implement what she talked about in this article. You can search for Good Sleep wherever you get your podcasts and then make sure to choose the one from Optimal Living Daily. And I agree with the nature part. I know I mention it pretty often but getting outside when I first wake up, it's one of my favorite things to do because then I get some sun, weather permitting, fresh air, and I can stretch and or do some light Tai Chi and get nature's healing touch

[00:11:11] [SPEAKER_01] that Kristen talked about. So good tips here. Hopefully you can try some of these out and let me know what works best for you. But with that, have a great rest of your day and start to your weekend and I'll see you tomorrow as usual where your optimal life awaits.

[00:11:26] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.