To understand how to gain energy when we feel overwhelmed, consider this analogy: Your body and mind are like a bathtub. They can hold a certain amount of stress. Chronic stress, such as family issues, health concerns and work deadlines are like a tap that drips little drips into your bathtub all the time. Acute stress, such as an injury, or a sudden life change, is another tap that is turned on to full blast, filling your tub up more quickly. If you do not unplug the stopper and allow your stress to drain, your tub will overflow. This is when exhaustion, burn out and adrenal fatigue set in as we try to mop up the water all around us. So how do you drain your tub? Your taps will never shut totally off. Stress, which can be positive or negative changes that occur, is a part of life. Sometimes draining it– even a little– can make a huge difference to how full our tub gets.

Consider the following list for ways to drain that tub:

Being present: Allow yourself 1 minute to look up, take 5 deep breaths, notice your surroundings and engage your senses.

Shake it off movement: Watch an animal in the wild. When a stressful event occurs, they shake their whole bodies, releasing the stored adrenaline, and get on with their day. So, shake it off!

Drink water: Hydrating in a stressful time actually sends a signal to your body that all is well. We wouldn’t drink at the watering hole if we were being chased! Have a sip, give your cells hydration, and take a minute to breathe, knowing all is well and you are safe.

Nourish: Eating well requires you to be organised, costs money and can be stressful! Remember that we are here to help you figure out what to eat, why to eat and how to make it all happen! When you eat, regardless of WHAT you eat, try to take time to slow down, TASTE your food, feel GRATITUDE for it and let it settle in your belly. For more tips and tricks on how and what to eat for stress support, reach out to Atrium through your wellness portal.