For some reason over the past week, we have been talking to quite a few of our patients about the stresses they have been facing in their lives. Some are stressed by their pain. Some are stressed by their kids. Some are stressed by the news. Some have recently lost loved ones. We are all facing some level of stress, but for some reason those stress levels seem to be elevated recently.
Let's be honest for a moment, we all have stresses that will come and go throughout our lives. In these moments, when our stress levels are elevated, it is very important that we become selective in what we give our attention to.
We have a simple choice to make.
Do you want to consume things that could potentially increase our stress levels or do you want to consume things that will take your mind off of the things that stress you out?
When you think about that question, the choice that you need to make seems pretty easy. If you are stressed about the political strife in our world, would you be better off sitting in your living room watching the "news" network of your choice that is constantly telling you about how the sky is falling or watching a good stand-up comedian who will make you laugh? Are you better off doom scrolling on social media or listening to some great music that reminds you of a happier time? Are you better off staying inside and arguing or are you better off getting outside and going for a hike in nature? The answers to these rhetorical questions should be readily apparent.
Make good choices about the information that you consume and you can help to lower your own stress levels!
