stress – The WateringWhole

Are you getting enough Rest?

Almost seen as a foreign word to many today, rest is kinda that long lost friend you haven’t seen in a while but looking to hook-up with.

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Rest!

Almost seen as a foreign word to many today, rest is kinda that long lost friend you haven’t seen in a while but looking to hook-up with. With busy schedules, many are hustling hours past the normal 9am to a 5pm job. In a lot of cases, both partners are working longer too, forcing even more of a strain on the family as a whole. This does not include the after-work activities which can stretch ones waking time well into the late night hours and affecting much-needed sleep.

Your amount of rest depends on a couple of factors. Your age and the amount of physical activity one engages in are two of the main factors. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute recommends teens get 9-10 hours of rest while only 7-8 hours for adults. 1. If you engage in a strenuous physical activity with goals to build strength and/or muscle, rest is key in the bodies development.

A Sleep poll was conducted and revealed close to 90 percent of adults admit that they feel very effective at accomplishing things when getting enough rest. When asking the same group about prioritizing sleep as compared to and ahead of fitness/exercise, work, and hobbies/interest only 10 percent admitted they do. So strange that the group who encourages fitness and exercise would not prioritize rest first, seeing that rest is a key component of the bodies growth and rehabilitation. My guess is that many get so caught up in a busy lifestyle that rest is more than likely not even given a second thought.

From time to time I have fallen into this vicious cycle of being loaded with plans that need to be executed throughout a day to day and week to week schedule. The catch is, I get so caught up in the hustle that I don’t recognize the need to get enough rest. You see the body is kinda like a machine that needs proper maintenance from time to time. When it does not get the attention it needs it will fail.

For instance, if the oil is not maintained for the engine to run smoothly and it loses viscosity the time will come when it will overheat and engine fail will be the result. The same can happen when one does not get the proper sleep. Extreme exhaustion may result which can lead to non-productivity of any kind. This is not what we want with our bodies.

So, to defend against not getting enough sleep I want to highlight these reminder benefits as to what happens when we do get enough rest.

Sleep provides:

Repair – the body during periods of rest repairs itself, meaning the bodies cells use this time to clean themselves up if damaged.
Cleanse – The bodies cells use this time to pool and store waste for evacuation.
Clear thinking – When brain cells get a chance to revitalize and rest the result is clear cognitive thinking.
Productivity – when the bodies organs rest their overall rested state translates into fresh energy
Better Mood – non-rested states can lead to stress which can lead to unwanted mood swings and being temperamental. Never knew anyone to hate an upbeat attitude.
Quality time – When one is rested there is a better chance to get out and enjoy life’s activities. Especially when it comes to family functions.
Muscle growth – the process of tearing down to build goes true when it comes to physical fitness workouts. Getting the proper rest encourages the development of muscles and the metabolism of fat.

So, if you are not getting the proper amount of sleep then I hope this post will at least encourage you to seriously adopt the mindset to do so now.

Of course, this is not a complete list of benefits but at least a teezer. I hope you enjoyed the read. For more encouraging posts on life and fitness check out this post!

Credits:

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/sleep-deprivation-and-deficiency

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/media-center/press-release/2018-sleep-in-america-poll-shows

Why I Love Restaurants

Going to a good dining place could be good for your attitude. My experience was enlightening.

Why restaurants are cool spots.

I love going out to restaurants! Why? Well, not only because of the food offered but the atmosphere too.

For me, restaurants offer three things I value. Food, casual atmosphere and a break from daily responsibilities.

The food offered is definitely a plus for any restaurant. This may seem like an obvious thought but I have been to places that have not offered a tasty array of entrees. There is nothing like going to a dining place to order a steak or pork chop that is not flavorful. It will leave a definite unfavorable imprint.

I love all kinds of food too. Although I’m based in America I do love the taste of Italian and French cuisines. Because I like to eat, I feel it is my duty to credit each respective cultures entrees and gorge…Oops, I mean sensibly try them. Lol.

In addition to the food, I love a restaurants dining experience too. I feel that with all the potential stress life could present it only stands to reason the need to have places help to divert such pressures. For me, they are a cool place to meet and build new friends.

Today, some places offer more than just seats for dining. Many offer TV’s for viewing and even the options for gaming. This in itself can add to an upbeat experience if that is what you are particularly into. I personally love them all and try to get the most out of what is offered.

Lastly, dining places provide an atmosphere that takes your mind away from the stresses of life we encounter. At least for me. Although there are other forms of stress relief, I favor dining out a lot.

I do utilize other forms of stress relief such as shopping, resistance, and cardio training, playing board games, reading an interesting book, watching a good comedy or thriller movie, and of course writing for my blog.

So now you know the reasoning behind why I love to eat out at restaurants! My guess is that you love to eat out at restaurants too. If so, what are your reasons? I would be glad to know.

Stress? Fight or Flight Part II

Did you know that outside of relationships there are quite a few reasons to be stressed?

Hi everyone! Glad you stayed tuned.

Well, let’s get to it. For a recap, we discovered stress to be associated with that fight or fight feeling that one gets in a situation that seems unanswerable. Stress can also affect any and everyone.

Did you know that outside of relationships there are quite a few reasons to be stressed? In fact, according to the American Psychology Association, a study from 2007 to 2010 revealed money, work, the economy, and family responsibilities to be leading causes of stress.

Respondents point out that the pressures of responsibility in the workplace contribute to increased stress to meet deadlines. What’s interesting is in 2007 74% were affected as compared to a 5 to 6 percent drop over the next couple of years. Curiosity led me to find out that during the 2007 year in the U.S. there was a major housing bubble event. The stress connected with not having a home could be overwhelming.

Respondents also claimed earning money as the second reason stress is prevalent. Perhaps this is because of a combination of contributing factors stemming from either overindulgent personal desires or overall economics.

What are the symptoms of stress? As there are many causes of stress, there are quite a few symptoms that one may exhibit.

A lack of interest could be noticed in a person who customarily is involved. On the other hand, lack of appetite could be an obvious one. Especially when you know the person is quite fond of eating. Some individuals may experience common symptoms of having a headache or exhibiting fatigue. The attached survey highlights a few others of what percentage respondents experienced from the years 2007-2010.

So what are the long-term effects of stress if not managed? Well, the effects range from behavioral and physical.

Behavioral effects could range from one being depressed to serious anxiety attacks.

Stress if not managed properly could affect eating habits that lead to obesity. In some, sexual performance problems could be evident. Other extended issues might be related to skin, hair, intestinal, and menstrual.

So what can be done to help manage stress? Well, let’s see.

Support from loved ones-those close by(friends too) can be pillars in the time of stress offering mental, physical, and monetary support
Regular exercise-physical exercises can be a great way to take your focus off of stressful circumstance. Physical activity causes you to redirect your energies to whatever the task is at hand; Basketball, Pool, swimming, running, resistance training, or yoga.
Meditation-spending time just relaxing(quiet time) and mentally redirecting energies is a great way to reset your mind.
Listening to Music-Music is an ultimate mood changer. Music melodies have a way of soothing or energizing the mind. This can be an enjoyable way to be mentally massaged.
Reading-reading is a sure fire way to redirect your focus. In order to understand what you’re reading your mind has to be in the game.

So, there you go. Not a complete list but hopefully a decent informational teaser regarding stress.

Stress is definitely real and no laughing matter. With more expected out of an individual today in practically the same amount of hours in the day, one can feel overwhelmed. Stats show that situations have affected everyone across the globe, so adopting stress managing techniques will be a must.

Recapping, we found out that stress is that Fight or Flight feeling one gets when in a pressure type situation. Stress can affect anyone. It does not matter regarding gender, age, nationality, or status in life. We discussed some of the symptoms related to being stressful and the potential causes. It was revealed that stress, if not managed, can affect one mentally and have physical effects. Finally, incorporating stress management tools will help to relieve or even eradicate the impact of stress in one’s life.

Glad you were able to tune in. Thanks for reading. With every post, I learn a little bit more and love sharing to encourage. Hope you were enlightened.

Stay tuned for the next post.

Stress! That Fight or Flight Feeling

All is well here but as usual, I’ve been thinking. Thinking about stress and how it impacts one’s life.

Hi friends! Hope all is well. Missed a week or two of posts. But I’m back at it! Thanks for posting in.

All is well here but as usual, I’ve been thinking. Thinking about stress and how it impacts one’s life.

I, like many, have had to deal with stress at some point. Whether personal or business stress can affect anyone. Just recently a business related issue concerning an employee invited stress into my environment where there was a chance for me to be affected but with proper stress normalizing measures I did not allow it to fester. In this case, its effect was minimized pretty quickly.

There are many folks who encounter stress at some point and have had to endure for a much longer time. This is why I decided to share a bit about what it is and how it can affect one physically and mentally. In the next few post I will share what stress is, who is affected by stress, when can stress surface, what are the contributors to stress, what are the long-term side effects of stress, and how does stress affect one. Afterwards, I will present options that may help overcome stress.

Let me first start off and say that I am not a doctor of any sorts but a living example on a journey sharing my story.

First, what is stress? Well, it is kinda the feeling you get when your heart races, your blood pressure elevates, your breathing quickens, and your muscles tighten. This feeling is commonly referred to as the “Fight or Flight” and you may or may not encounter this depending on your level of stress endurance. This fight or fight feeling varies from one person to another.

For the one person missing a paycheck may cause them to panic while for another it is viewed as just another aspect of that particular work environment. In another instance, adding another project with a deadline can possibly invite panic to the one employee but for the other employee, it can be viewed as just another opportunity to tackle a challenge. Stress can also, undoubtedly affect anyone.

Stress has affected children, teens, adults, men, women, young and older persons. Its effect can surface in various ways in all too. For instance, someone who normally is outgoing could begin to be a bit reserved. This can happen across race, gender, or age.

The graphs show that stress appears to affect all age groups and gender. In some way, that fight or flight feeling impacts the mind and does not discriminate. In another instance, one who generally handles seemingly small situations could suddenly begin to be bothered and moody.

Trends show that stress is a very real problem that even touches down to the core of the family affecting children. In this case, children like adults are affected in varying ways that can result in the child being reserved, quiet, non-playful, sad, or even frustrated.

In this post, I have sorta laid the basis for what stress is, what the symptoms of stress are, and who is affected by stress. In the next post, I will focus on what the causes of stress are, the mental and physical impact of stress and what the long-term effects on an individual that does not overcome.

Stay tuned friends!